THE 

COMPLETE 

DUTY  OF  MAN  j 

OR, 

A  SYSTEM 

OF 

DOCTRINAL  ^  PRACTICAL  CHRISTIANITY. 

To  which  are  added, 

tORMS   OF    PRAYER    AND    OFFICES    OF    DEVOTION    FOR    THE 
VARIOUS    CIRCUMSTANCES    IN    LIFE. 

/ 
BY  H.  VENN,  A.M. 

RECTOR  OF  YELLING,  AND  CHAPLAIN  TO  THE 
EARL  OF  BUCHAN. 


Fear  God  and  keep  his  Commandments,  for  this  is  tiic 

WHOLE    DUTY    OF    MAN.  Eccl.  xii.   1?, 


PUBLISHED    BY    J.  SIMPSON  AND  CO- 

L.  DEARE,  printer. 
1811, 


TPHEFACE. 


JD  AITH  m  Christ,  whatever  disputes  may  have  been  raised 
about  its  nature,  is  allowed  on  all  hands  to  be  a  capital  doctrine 
of  the  gospel,  and  essential  to  a  Christian. 

In  full  agreement  with  the  great  lights  of  the  primitive 
church,  our  own,  and  all  the  reformed  ones,  I  understand  by  it 
a  dependence  upon  Christ  for  righteousness  and  strength,  as 
having  paid  to  tlie  justice  of  God  full  satisfaction  for  his  broken 
law,  and  obtained  acceptance  for  all  believers  in  his  name,  to 
the  reward  of  eternal  life.  Should  an  explanation  of  this  point, 
now  it  seems  so  offensive  to  many,  be  demanded,  the  following 
is  humbly  submitted  to  consideration. 

Sin  is  the  transgression  of  God's  law,  which,  so  soon  as 
broken,  subjects  us  to  its  penalty.  The  first  sin  of  the  first 
man  is  a  decisive  proof  of  this  truth,  standing  in  the  front  of 
the  Bible,  a  perpetual  important  lesson  of  instruction  to  man- 
kind, in  a  point  which  otherwise  could  not  have  been  kno^vn  by 
them  ;  and  which,  notwithstanding  the  solemnity  of  its  delivery, 
they  are  always  apt  to  overlook.  But  this  fact  ought  very  par- 
ticularly to  be  considered,  because  designed  to  give  us  a  clear 
insight  into  the  nature  of  God,  and  the  nature  of  sin,  and  as  a 
key  to  the  subsequent  discoveries  of  scripture.  For  if  the  sin 
of  eating  the  forbidden  fruit,  involving  in  its  fatal  consequences 
the  Avhole  human  race,  could  not  be  pardoned,  we  may  fairly 
presume,  sin  has  always  the  same  nature  in  the  eyes  of  an  un- 
changeable  God.  Therefore,  every  sin,  as  an  act  of  disobedi- 
ence and  rebellion  against  him,  must  be  the  object  of  his  dis- 
pleasure at  all  times,  and  for  ever  separate  from  him  every  soul 
Qf  man  in  whom  it  is  found  unpardoned  and  unpurged. 


4  PREFACE. 

This  gives  an  alarming  view  of  our  condition  under  sin,  im- 
mediately exciting  this  question,  How  are  sinners  to  be  restor- 
ed to  the  favour  of  God  ?  An  inquiry,  of  all  others  the  most  im- 
portant. And  you  are  again  desired  to  keep  your  eye  fixed 
upon  the  scripture  character  of  God,  his  holiness,  or  hatred  of 
sin,  and  inflexible  will  to  punish  it,  remembering,  at  the  same 
time,  that  every  act  of  disobedience  has  the  same  accursed  na- 
ture with  the  first,  and  as  certainly  exposes  the  offender  to  con- 
demnation. 

If  you  refuse  to  admit  this  awful  account  of  the  nature  of  sin, 
and  of  God,  because  contrary  to  the  idea  you  have  framed  of 
him,  and  derogatory,  as  you  fancy,  to  his  perfections,  you  are 
then  required  to  prove  under  what  age  of  the  world,  or  in  what 
part  of  scripture  you  find  it  recorded,  that  God  has  revoked 
his  decree  against  sin,  and  made  a  change  in  the  law  given  to 
man  at  his  creation.  This  was,  life  upon  obedience,  and,  in 
case  of  transgression,  death.  The  scripture,  on  the  contrary, 
in  perfect  harmony  with  itself,  acquaints  us,  that  at  the  second 
promvilgation  of  the  law,  God  appeared  in  the  same  majesty  and 
sovereignty,  and  with  the  same  denunciation  of  wrath  against 
sinners,  as  he  did  at  the  beginning.  "  Cursed  is  every  one  that 
continueth  not  in  all  things  which  are  written  in  the  book  of  the 
law  to  do  them."  On  which  we  may  observe,  by  the  way,  that 
as  more  than  temporal  death  was  necessarily  implied  in  the 
threatening  and  curse  to  the  Jews,  because  that,  they  knew,  was 
the  unavoidable  doom  of  all  mankind,  whether  they  obeyed  or 
not ;  so  it  natiuidly  suggests  to  us,  that  the  first  threatening, 
"  In  the  day  thou  eatest  thereof  thou  shalt  surely  die,'*  was  of 
the  same  extent,  and  its  meaning  precisely  determined  by  it. 

However,  in  the  second  there  is  no  relaxation  of  the  first ; 
no  contrary  declaration  concerning  the  case  of  offenders,  nor 
the  least  intimation  of  any  change  in  the  will  of  God  with  res- 
pect t;o  sin.  Indeed,  such  a  variation  or  inconsistency  in  the 
character  of  God,  as  given  by  himself,  would  be  an  argument 
of  infinitely  greater  force  than  any  yet  alleged  against  the  trutli 
of  the  Bible. 


PREFACE.  a 

The yizc^  tlien  is  certain  ;  the  wages  of  sin  is  death,  and  al- 
ways will  be  so,  while  God  remains  unchangeable.  What  he 
published  by  his  first  covenant,  in  the  person  of  Adam  given 
to  all  mankind,  he  renewed  and  confirmed  by  the  delivery  of 
|helaw  of  Moses,  which,  as  St  Paul  observes,  Gal.  iii.  19^, 
"  was  added  because  of  transgressions,  that  their  desert  might 
be  known,  that  the  offence  might  abound,"  Rom.  v.  In  its 
penalty  and  curse  unto  death,  now  once  more  solemnly  award- 
ed against  every  offender,  and  every  offence. 

Besides  these  two  grand  manifestations  of  the  nature  and 
will  of  God,  the  evil  of  sin,  and  the  maimer  in  which  it  is  to  be 
treated,  we  know  of  no  other.  And  botii  are  exemplified  in  the 
judgments  recorded  throughout  scripture,  especially  in  the 
death  of  Christ,  as  so  many  confirmations  of  God's  unalterable 
purpose  of  dealing  with  sinners  according  to  those  declamtions. 
Very  striking  and  awful  indeed  they  are.  Yet  here  we  must 
rest  the  point  for  ever,  unless  we  would  take  upon  us,  as  we 
do  from  one  age  to  another,  with  horrid  presumption,  to  esti- 
mate the  guilt  of  sin  from  our  own  false  notions  pf  it,  to  pre- 
scribe a  law  to  God,  to  divest  him  of  his  supreme  dominion,  to 
cavil  at  his  wisdom,  and  dethrone  his  justice. 

But  let  the  reason  of  man,  short  as  it  is,  be  judge  in  this 
cause.  The  decree  is  gone  out  from  the  Almighty,  and  stands 
unrepealed  in  the  revelation  he  has  made  of  himself:  "  Cursed 
is  every  one  that  continueth  not  in  all  things  written  in  the  book 
of  the  law  to  do  them."  Suppose  now,  for  a  moment,  we  are 
at  liberty  to  call  his  decree  in  question,  and  make  allowance  for 
some  sin.  What  is  tliat  sin  ?  And  if  for  one,  why  not  two  or 
more,  and  \Yhere  will  you  stop  ?  If  once  you  take  it  out  of 
God's  hands,  there  will  be  no  end  of  pleading  for  transgres- 
sion, no  dread  of  it,  no  sense  of  good  and  evil,  no  submission 
to  God's  authority,  no  obedience  upon  earth.  The  conclusion 
.is  evident,  if  all  have  smned,  all  stand  condemned  by  the  sen- 
tence of  a  just  God. 

The  covenant  of  redemption,  in  which  mercy  and  truth  meet 
together,  righteousness  and  peace  kiss  each  other,  and  God  is 


6  PREFACE. 

both  just  and  the  ju&tifier  of  him  that  believeth  in  Jesu-s,  is  nol 
here  to  be  fully  oxjened.  We  are  now  to  prove  the  necessity 
of  dependence  for  salvation  on  the  death  and  righteousness  of 
Christ,  from  the  preceding  account  of  God's  unalterable  jus- 
tice, and  from  the  guilt  of  sin  being  in  all  ages  the  same.  And 
unless  we  arc  declared  free  from  that  guilt,  and  invested  with 
a  title  to  eternal  life,  how  can  we  be  saved  ?  If  we  have  not 
righteousness  in  ourselves,  where  must  we  look  for  it,  but  as 
existing  solely  in  the  person  of  Jesus  Christ  ?  Dependence, 
therefore,  upon  that  righteousness  as  appointed  by  God  for 
sinners  to  confide  in,  is  the  precious  faith  of  the  gospel  by 
which  the  just  live,  and  live  eternally.  As  no  other  will  recon- 
cile the  divine  attributes,  or  answer  the  exigencies  of  mankind, 
concluded  under  sin,  and  always  sinners,  so  nothing  else  must 
be  the  ground  of  our  hope  towards  God, 

JVot  ivoj'ks.  Alas!  we  have  none  tiiat  will  bear  to  be  weigh- 
ed in  God's  balance,  or  answer  the  demands  of  his  justice.  Be 
fair  and  honest  here,  as  it  is  a  matter  of  life  and  death.  Then 
examine  what  you  think  your  best  action,  or  the  most  excellent 
ijrace  in  your  soul.  Bring  it  to  the  touchstone,  the  straight 
rule  of  the  commandment,  which  reaches  the  heart  and  all  its 
^notions.  In  the  matter  or  manner,  principle  or  end,  be  assur- 
ed, you  will  fmd  some  grievous  flaw  in  it,  and  condemnation 
your  desert,  instead  of  reward.  Let  Hooker,  whose  judgment 
or  piety  none  ever  questioned,  who  have  studied  his  writings, 
be  heard  on  this  head.  "If  God,  (said  he),  should  make  us  an 
offer  thus  large—Search  all  tbe  generations  of  men  since  the 
fall  of  our  first  father  Adam  ;  find  one  man  that  hath  done  one 
action  which  hath  passed  from  him  pure,  witliout  any  stain  or 
>)Iemish  al  all  ;  and  for  that  one  man's  only  action,  neither  man 
nor  angel  shall  feel  the  torments  which  are  prepared  for  both. 
Do  you  think  that  this  ransom  to  deliver  men  and  angels 
could  be  found  among  the  sons  of  men  V'-— Discourse  on  Jus' 
Tijicatiov. 

J\''ot  Sincerity.     This  has  been  long  adopted  into  our  divini- 
ty, as  if  it  were  the  gracious  cpjijdition  of. the  new  covenant;,  iii 


PREFACE,  ^' 

opposition  to  the  law  of  perfect  obedience.  But  it  is  no  where 
mentioned  in  scripture  as  such.  Yet  so  great  a  variation,  in 
a  matter  of  vast  importance,  from  every  other  revelation  God 
has  been  pleased  to  make  of  himself,  and  the  way  of  acceptance 
with  him,  need  be  very  distiiKtly  and  strongly  marked.  But 
when  we  call  for  scripture  proof,  none  is  produced.  It  is  in- 
deed altogether  a  claim  of  human  invention,  an  acknowledged 
defect  of  obedience.  Consequently  an  absolute  forfeiture,  de- 
livering us  up  to  justice,  so  long  as  the  law  of  perfect  obedience 
stands  in  full  force  against  us.  And  let  the  reader  determine, 
after  what  has  been  said,  whether  that  law  was  not  designed  to 
be  a  perpetual  standard  of  the  only  obedience  God  will  accept 
from  man  as  his  duty,  or  how  and  when  it  was  abrogated. 

JV'"©^  Faith  and  Works,  considered  as  co-operating  to  our 
justification,  and  both  together  making  our  claim  to  accep- 
tance ;  for  works  which  have  the  nature  of  sin,  and  arc  con- 
fessed  to  have  it  by  those  who  call  in  the  aid  of  faith  to  supply 
their  imperfection,  must  be  excluded  from  any  share  in  our  jus- 
tification, because  the  grand  difficulty  still  remains.  Justice 
must  be  satisfied,  and  the  law  fulfilled  ;  with  all  our  duties  sin 
is  mixed,  and  our  case  desperate  as  to  this  remedy,  unless  the 
new  covenant  be  supposed  a  relaxation  of  every  preceding  one 
in  respect  of  God's  judgment  of  sin,  and  that,  now  in  this  last 
age  of  the  world,  he  has  revealed  himself  as  atting  under  a  dis- 
pensing power,  and  discharging  sin  of  its  guilt. 

But  this  is  a  dangerous  expedient  v/ithout  warrant  from  rea- 
son or  scripture.  By  scripture  we  are  taught  our  whole  deliv- 
erance from  the  curse  of  the  law  ;  and  the  ansv.  er  of  a  good  con- 
science to  its  demands,  is  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  satisfyinc? 
the  divine  justice,  and  to  the  praise  of  the  glory  of  his  grace  im- 
puted to  sinners  for  salvation.  This  is  the  anchor  of  the  soul, 
sure  and  steadfast,  full  security,  our  first  and  only  justification. 

The  notion  of  a  ^first  and  second  is  the  off'spring  of  pride, 
opposing  the  truth  of  God.  For  surely  tliese  justifiers  of  them- 
selves make  no  account  of  the  justice  of  God,  as  still  existing 
in  all  its  rigour,  bat  substitute  instead  of  perfection  what  falU 


S  PREFACE. 

infinitely  short  of  it.  Yet  the  nature  of  God,  and  of  sin,  re-j 
mains  always  the  same  ;  consequently  we  are  as  much  undone 
as  ever,  if  gospel  grace  extends  no  farther  tlian  to  the  first  ben- 
efit of  forgiveness,  when  we  are  admitted  into  the  Christian 
covenant.  This  is  dropping  faith  at  the  beginning  of  our  con- 
version, as  a  thing  of  no  farther  use.  On  the  contrary,  we  are 
assured  the  just  shall  live  by  faith,  not  once  but  always,  in  every 
step  of  his  progress,  at  the  hour  of  death,  and  the  day  of  judg- 
ment. It  is  not  meant,  that  faith  has  any  such  effect  merely  as 
a  work  and  righteousness  of  our  own.  No,  it  consists  in  a  de- 
nial of  the  merits  of  all  works,  qualifications,  or  habits  in  man. 
Its  essence  is  unfeigned  submission  to  the  righteousness  of 
God,  and  entire  dependence  upon  it  as  freely  given  to  us. 
Which  may  furnish  an  answer  to  those  who  ask,  why  may  not 
imperfect  works  justify,  as  well  as  imperfect  faith  ?  supposing 
truly  that  one  is  no  more  perfect  than  the  other.  The  reason 
is,  that  the  sole  eternal  condition  of  justification  by  works  is 
their  perfection  ;  consequently  a  claim  founded  on  them  must 
either  be  made  good,  or  wholly  relinquished.  Whereas  faith, 
though  it  may  be  weak  and  imperfect,  instead  of  exalting  itself 
against  the  justice  of  God,  and  standing  before  him  in  the  con- 
fidence of  a  lie,  puts  all  from  itself,  giving  the  whole  glory  of 
salvation  where  it  is  due. 

We  shall  close  this  argument  with  observing,  that  faith  is 
not  understood,  much  less  possessed,  if  it  produce  not  more 
holiness  than  could  possibly  be  any  other  way  attained.  The 
charge  of  vacating  the  law,  as  a  rule  of  life,  followed  close 
upon  the  first  preaching  of  salvation  by  faith  ;  and  a  base  sus- 
picion of  its  bemg  prejudicial  to  the  interests  of  virtue  is  hard- 
ly ever  rooted  out  of  the  minds  of  men,  till  they  themselves 
experience  the  power  of  faith.  But  this  can  have  no  weight 
with  those  who  remember  the  decision  our  Lord  has  made  on 
this  point,  in  opposition  to  the  conceit  of  a  proud  pretending 
Pharisee  ;  to  ivhoin  little  is  forgiven-,  the  same  loveth  little  ; 
Luke  vii.  47. 


PREFACE.  9 

We  acknowledge,  we  strenuously  maintain  the  heart  of  mai\ 
is  exceedingly  depraved.  But  you  extend  this  matter  beyond 
all  bounds,  and  charge  much  greater  corruption  upon  fallen 
man  thiji  you  arc  aware  of,  when  you  suppose  the  super- 
abundant love  of  God,  manifested  in  the  pUm  of  redemption, 
can  kindle  no  love,  and  excite  no  gratitude.  On  the  contrary, 
it  is  the  peculiar  honour  of  gospel  grace,  that  it  humbles  every 
believer  in  the  dust,  fills  him  with  just  apprehensions  of  the 
sinfulness  of  sm,  raises  him  from  his  dead  state,  to  establish 
him  in  the  truth  of  obedience  from  love  to  God,  and  holy  admi- 
ration of  his  adorable  perfections  And  if  the  gospel  be  not 
thus  effectual,  through  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  every  sinner  who 
really  believes  it ;  if  the  love  of  tlie  ever-blessed  Trinity  docs 
not  put  all  the  powers  of  the  soul  in  motion  to  make  some  suit- 
able returns,  our  condition  is  indeed  hopeless.  And  wc  may 
venture  to  affirm  that  a  zeal  for  works  truly  Christian  can  be 
built  on  no  other  foundation  ;  and  that  a  desire  to  perfect  holi- 
ness will  never  take  place  in  the  heart  of  man,  but  under  a 
sense  of  redeeming  grace,  and  the  great  salvation  it  sets  be- 
fore us. 

A  neglect,  and  even  avowed  contempt  of  this  doctrine  is  the 
characteristic  of  our  age,  and  the  gospel  motive  to  obedience- 
we  in  general  cease  to  inculcate,  though  we  call  ourselves 
Christians.  But  in  vain  do  we  attempt  to  revive  the  decayed 
spirit  of  religion,  and  establish  a  pure  morality  on  any  other  than 
scripture  grounds.  A  spurious  kind  of  it,  outward,  partial, 
chiefly  founded  on  love  of  reputation,  with  little  regard  to  God, 
nature  itself  can  discern,  and  in  some  measure  attain.  Poor, 
mean  attainment  1  Yet  nature  is  most  unreasonably  prone  to 
substitute  this  in  the  place  of  mward  and  spiritual  religion,  to 
which  it  is  altogether  averse.  But  true  holiness,  thut  is,  pro- 
found self-abasement  and  subjection  to  the  Father  of  Spirits, 
from  love  of  his  nature  aud  will,  with  ardent  longings  after  puri- 
ty of  heart,  is  the  genuine  product  of  lively  fldth,  and  I  say  a^ain, 

B 


10  PREFACE. 

no  where  to  be  found,  till  the  ever-blessed  name  of  Jesus,  his 
grace  and  his  truth,  his  compassionate  heart,  dying  love,  and 
all-perfect  obedience,  are  the  meditation,  delight,  and  confi- 
dence of  the  soul  towards  God. 

Upon  these  principles,  I  have  endeavoured  to  delineate  the 
Complete  Duty  of  Man.  The  book  bears  this  title,  not  from 
-any  arrogant  conceit  the  author  holds  of  its  worth,  but  from  its 
comprehending  the  doctrines,  as  well  c.s  the  precepts  peculiar 
to  the  church  of  God  ;  from  its  placing  things  in  their  proper 
order,  and  preparing  the  way  to  Christian  practice,  by  Chris- 
tian faith,  and  to  faith  by  conviction  of  sin.  The  Whole  Duty 
of  Man,  so  called,  has  been  long  in  possession  of  general  esteem, 
and  is  to  be  found  in  most  families.  But  it  is  evident  that  cele- 
brated treatise  wants  the  great  thing  needful  to  obtain  the  very 
end  for  which  it  was  written ;  since  Christ  the  lawgiver  will  al- 
ways speuk  in  vain,  without  Christ  the  Saviour  is  first  known. 
Christian  morality  is  produced  and  maintauied  by  this  principle 
' — We  love  God,  because  he  first  loved  us,  and  sent  his  Son  to 
be  the  propitiation  for  our  sins.  All  treatises,  therefore,  writ- 
ten to  promote  holiness  of  life,  must  be  deplorably  defective,  un- 
less the  cross  of  Christ  be  laid  as  the  foundation,  constantly  kept 
in  view,  and  every  duty  enforced,  as  having  relation  to  the  Re- 
deemer. This  is  the  apostle's  doctrine,  and  method  of  inculcat- 
ing Cliristian  obedience  ;  and  all  other  is  Pharisaical,  or  only  a 
more  refined  species  of  self-righteousness. 

It  is  proper  to  apprize  the  reader,  that  in  the  chapters  on  re- 
pentance, there  are  some  paragraphs  taken  from  Mr.  Dickin- 
son's letters  ;  and  in  those  chapters,  on  the  foundation  of  faith, 
several  fine  sentiments  from  Mr.  Maclaurin's  Sermon  on  the 
Glci-y  of  the  Cross  of  Christ.  In  a  few  other  places,  where  a 
masterly  argu-nent  or  beautiful  illustration  upon  the  subject 
occurred,  I  have  taken  the  litferty  of  enriching  witli  it  my 
own  work. 

I  have  notliing  further  to  add,  but  my  earnest  request  to  the 
Fountain  of  aii  sjood,  that  it  may  please  him  to  make  the  follow- 


PREFACE.  1 1 

ing  sheets  useful.  Useful  to  give  the  reader  knowledge  of  his 
glorious  name — and  a  conviction  of  human  ignorance,  guilt,  and 
depravity,  which  may  endear  the  name  of  the  Redeemer,  and 
create  humility  of  mind,  with  tender  compassion  towards  each 
other.  Useful,  to  make  evident  the  pardon,  strength,  pcuce, 
and  righteousness,  which  ennoble  all  who  have  scriptural  f«ith 
in  Christ — that  both  formal  and  deistical  religion  may  appear 
the  despicable  things  they  are,  and  an  earnest  expectation  be  ex- 
cited in  all  who  read  this  volume,  of  beholding  the  meridian  glo- 
ry of  ChristicUiity  in  heaven,  where  every  creature  breaks  forth 
in  fervent  acknowledgment  of  infinite  obligation,  saying, 
"  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain,  to  receive  power,  and 
riches,  and  wisdom,  and  strength,  and  honour,  and  glory,  and 
blessing.'* 


CONTENTS. 


CHAP.  I.  v7N  the  excellent  Worth  of  the  Soul    -  Mge  15 
II.  The  Knowledge  of  the  Soul's  excellent  worth, 

necessary  to  perform  Christian  Obedience  2 1 

III.  On  Carefulness  to  save  the  Soul               -  25 

IV.  The  Scripture  Character  of  God             -  31 
V,  The  same  subject  continued           -           -  33 

VI.  The  perfections  of  God  exemplified  by  facts  45 

VII.  The  natural  Condition  of  Man  respecting  God  56 

VIII.  On  the  Depravity  of  Man             -             -  6S 

IX.  The  Human  Heart's  Enmity  against  God  67 

X.  On  the  Perfection  of  the  Law           -           -  78 

XI.  The  several  Uses  of  the  Law        -         -  84 

XII.  The  same  subject  continued      -         -         ^  90 

XIII.  The  Dangerous  Mistakes,  which  through  Ig- 

norance of  the  Law,  govern  our  Minds  97 

XIV.  Faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  ascertained 

,                   from  Scripture  Testimony       -         -         -  108 

XV.  The  Extent  of  Faith  in  Christ          -           -  113 
XVI.  Great  Advantages    from    receiving   Christ's 

own  Definition  of  Faitli  in  his  Name        -  11^ 
X.VII.   The  Foundation  of  Faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus 

Christ            .--.,-  132^ 


CONTENTS.  ;3 

XVIII.  The  same  subject  continued  -         -         141 

XIX.  The  Ground  for  Faith  m  Christ  to  turn  us 

from  all  Iniquity  -  -  -         -     1 45 

XX.  On  the  Divinity  of  the  Holy  Ghost  -         155 

XXI.  On  the  Operations  of  the  Holy  Ghost       -        160 
XXII.  On  the  constant  Agency  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in 

all  ages  -         -         -         -         -         -     164 

XXIII.  On  the  Proprieties  of  the  Spirit's  Influence, 

and  the  daring  Impiety  of  denying  it        -       172 
XXIV    On  true  and  false  Repentance         -         -  179 

XXV.  The  same  subject  continued  -         -         -   185 

XXVI.  The  Tempers  of  a  Christian  towards  God,  and 

the  Principles  which  form  them  -         -   198 

XXVII.  The  Tempers  of  a  Christian  towards  God         204 
XXVIII.  The  same  subject  continued         -         -         .  209 
XXIX.  The  Tempers  of  a  Christian  towards  his  Fel- 
low-Creatures -         -         -         -         -  217 

XXX.  The  same  subject  continued  -         »         229 

XXXI.  The  same  subject  continued         -         .         -  235 

XXXII.  The  same  subject  continued  -  -         239 

XXXIII.  Christian  Humility  -         -         -         _         246 

XXXIV.  The  Duty  of  a  Christian  in  a  Married  State       252 

XXXV.  The  same  subject  continued         -         -         -  25  7 

XXXVI.  The  Natural  Duty  ofParents  and  Children        267 
XXXVII.  The  same  subject  continued         -         -         -  272 

XXXVIII.  On  the  Education  of  Children  -         -         277 

XXXIX.   The  Duty  of  Children  towards  their  Parents      286 

XL    On  Self-Denial  -  .         -         .         _  295 

XLJ.  On  the  sm  of  Lewdness  -        -        -        301 


14  CONTENTS. 

XLII.  On  Self-denial  respecting  the  Love  of  Money     311 

XLIII.  On  Love  of  Praise 317 

XLIV.  On  Evil  Shame 323 

XLV.  On  Self-denied  Submission  of  our  understand- 
ing to  God's  Word  -  -         -         -  328 
XLVI.  On  Devotional  Duties      -         -         -         -         339 
XLVIL  On  the  Necessity  of  Prayer          -       ,    -         -  347 
XLVIIL  The  Properties  of  aceptable  Prayer  -  35S 
XLIX.  On  the  certain  Success  of  Prayer           -           -361 
L.   The  Pleasures  peculiar  to  Believers  in  the 

Lord  Jesus  Christ  -  ...  37g 

LI.  On  Pleasures  peculiar  to  a  Christian  -  387 

LII.  The  Love  of  Christ  to  his  Church  in  all  Ages 

the  same  ----_.  400 

Offices  of  Devotion  for  the  Use  of  Fami- 
liesj  and  for  Persons  in  Various  Conditions     4 1 4 


THE 

DUTY  OF  MAN. 


SUNDAY  I. 

CHAP.  I. 
On  the  excellent  Worth  of  the  Soul. 

It  is  evident  man  is  made  with  an  active  principle 
entirely  distinct  from  his  body.  For  this  is  chained 
down  to  a  spot  bf  earth,  no  more  than  a  mass  of  un- 
conscious matter.  But  his  soul  can  expatiate  in 
contemplation,  reflection,  and,  with  infinite  variety, 
compare  the  numberless  objects  which  present  them- 
selves before  it.  When  his  body  has  attained  ma- 
turity, his  soul  arrives  not  to  perfection,  but  increa- 
ses in  wisdom  and  knowledge  ;  and  when  the  feeble 
body  is  sinking  in  decay,  the  soul  is  often  full  of 
vigour,  and  feels  joy  or  anguish  ail  its  own. 

To  demonstrate  the  worth  of  the  soul,  so  admi- 
rable in  its  properties,  will  be  of  great  use  :  because 
all  that  the  term  religion  comprehends  respects 
the  soul.  And  many  precepts  in  the  word  of  God 
must  be  judged  unreasonable,  or  prove  irksome,  till 
the  salvation  of  the  boul  is  known  to  be  the  greatest 
good  man  can  attain  ;  the  loss  of  it  the  greatest  evil 
he  can  suifer. 


16  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

To  prove  this  point,  I  shall  make  my  appeal  to 
observation  and  scripture,  entirely  waving  all  abstract 
reasoning  about  the  nature  of  the  soul.^ 

Experience  then  powerfully  proves  the  excellent 
worth  of  the  soul.  For  what  is  the  case  of  thousands 
around  you,  if  it  has  not  already  been  your  own  ? 
Are  they  not  mourning  over  some  tender  parent, 
near  relation,  or  affectionate  friend  ?  How  grtatly 
did  they  value  the  dear  deceased  !  How  useful,  or 
how  entertaining  !  Perhaps  the  head,  the  comfort  of 
the  whole  family — perhaps  in  the  prime  of  life  and 
beauty.  Behold  the  sudden,  bitter,  prodigious  trans- 
formation !  The  desirable  object  is  become  a  putrid 
mass,  insufferably  loathsome,  fit  only  for  the  grave. 
Do  you  ask  how,  in  so  small  a  space  of  timt,  what 
was  before  admired  should  become  hideous  even  to 
look  on  ?  The  answer  loudly  proclaims  the  excellent 
worth  of  the  soul.  For  could  the  dead  parent,  re- 
lation, or  friend,  speak  to  you  on  the  subject,  his 
ansvv^er  would  be  to  this  effect : 

Afflicted  and  surprised,  you  bewail,  with  tears 
of  tenderness,  the  frightful  change  you  see  in  a 
form  long  so  familar  and  pleasing  to  you.  Know 
the  cause.  The  immortal  inhabitant  which  lodged 
for  a  few  years  under  this  roof  of  flesh  is  gone. 
My  soul,  by  its  presence,  gave  life,  motion,  arid 
beauty  to  my  body.  The  instant  the  one  took  its 
destined  flight,  the  other  began  to  turn  into  an  of- 
fensive carcase,  which  must  moulder  into  dust,  and 


*  Our  inquiries  about  the  nature  of  the  soul  (says  Lord  Ba- 
eon)  must  be  bound  over  at  last  to  religion,  for  otherwise  they 
still  lie  open  to  muny  errors.  For  since  the  substiuice  of  the 
soul  was  not  deduced  from  the  mass  of  heaven  and  earth,  but 
immediately  from  God,  how  can  the  knowledge  of  the  reasona- 
ble soul  be  derived  from  philosophy  ?  It  must  be  drawn  from 
the  same  inspiration  from  whence  its  substance  first  flowed* 
.idvanctmf'nt  of  Learning,  bookiv.  ch.  3. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  ir 

dust  remain,  till  his  voice,  who  is  the  resurrection 
and  the  life,  unites  it  for  ever  with  its  former  in- 
mate. 

From  this  striking  difference  between  a  dear  pa- 
rent, relation,  or  friend,  active,  useful,  entertaining, 
and  the  cold  pale  piece  of  outcast  earth  he  instantly 
becomes  upon  the  departure  of  his  soul  into  eternity, 
understand  what  must  be  its  excellent  worth. 

From  observing  this  fact,  daily  passing  before  our 
eyes,  turn  to  the  page  given  by  inspiration  of  God. 
Nothing  can  be  conceived  more  grand  than  the  scrip- 
ture account  of  the  soul. 

Look  up  to  the  heavens ;  immensely  high,  im- 
measureably  wide  as  they  are.  God  only  spoke,  and 
instantly,  with  all  their  host,  they  had  their  being. 
The  earth,  the  sea,  the  air,  with  all  their  millions 
of  inhabitants,  were  formed  in  the  same  manner. 
But  before  the  human  soul  comes  into  being,  a  coun- 
cil of  the  Trinity  is  held.  God  said,  *'  Let  us  make 
man  in  our  image,  after  our  likeness.  So  God  cre- 
ated man  in  his  own  image,  in  the  image  of  God  cre- 
ated he  him,"  Gen.  i.  26.  37.  He  formed  his  souK 
in  its  moral  faculties  and  powers,  a  sinless  immortal 
image  of  himself. 

To  ruin  so  grand  a  being  was  an  attempt  equal 
to  the  execrable  malice  which  Satan  bore  against 
God,  and  the  favourite  work  of  his  hands.  But  no 
sooner  did  Satan  bring  the  soul  of  Adam  nigh  to 
everlasting  destruction,  than  the  method  used  to  re- 
cover it  declared  a  second  time,  still  more  loudly  the 
exceeding  greatness  of  its  worth.  This  must  be 
granted,  if  you  take  a  just  survey  of  his  majesty, 
who  alone  was  sufficient  to  redeem  it.  Before  him 
the  countless  multitudes  which  people  the  w^hole 
earth,  with  all  their  wealth  and  pomp,  are  less  thcUi 
nothing  and  vanity.  Before  his  incomprehensible 
glory,  the  height  of  the  mountains,  and  the  unfath- 

c 


18  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

omable  depth  of  the  sea,  the  dimensions  of  the  earth, 
and  the  circuit  of  the  skies,  areas  the  small  dust  of 
the  balance.  This  i^  he,  behold  him,  behold  him!* 
who  takes  upon  himself  a  work  impossible  for  an- 
gels to  effect,  the  redemption  of  the  soul.  He  takes 
upon  himself  to  replace  it  in  union  and  communion 
with  God  ;  not  by  the  word  of  his  mouth,  as  in  the 
day  when  he  made  the  heavens  and  the  earth,  but  by 
a  work  infinitely  costly  ;  by  a  process  of  many  pain- 
ful steps,  eav2h  of  them  mysterious  and  astonishing 
to  angels,  as  well  as  to  men. 

To  redeem  the  soul,  he  is  born  of  a  poor  virgin, 
in  the  likeness  of  sinful  flesh  ;  he  lives  aflHicted.  in- 
suited,  oppressed  above  measure,  till  in  his  death  he 
is  made  sin  and  a  curse,  offering  up  to  the  Father  a 
divine  obedience,  and  a  death  fully  satisfactory  to  his 
broken  law. 

From  considering  duly  who  this  Redeemer  is,  and 
what  he  hath  done,  you  must  conclude  that  every- 
thing the  world  admires  as  excellent,  or  extols  as 
valuable,  is  unspeakably  mean,  when  put  in  the  ba- 
lance against  the  worth  of  the  soul. 

It  is,  indeed,  a  matter  of  the  utmost  difficulty  to 
believe,  that  the  word,  who  is  God,  did  abase  him- 
self to  the  death  of  the  cross,  a  ransom  for  the  soul. 
Here  reason  is  lost  in  the  unfathomable  mystery, 
and,  if  left  to  itself,  leads  to  an  obstinate  denial  of  the 
fact.  The  means  used  to  prevent  this  effect,  full  of 
blasphemy  against  God,  and  perdition  to  ourselves, 
forcibly  proves  the  soul's  excellent  worth.  For  the 
same  Eternal  Spirit,  which  in  the  beginning  brought 


*  The  reuder  is  desired,  as  he  would  not  injure  the  Redeem- 
er by  unworthy  thoughts  of  his  person,  to  ujeditutc  on  the  grand 
thhigs  Isaiah  speaks  of  the  Mesiah.  The  40th  cliaptcr,  from 
whence  the  above  description  of  his  glory  is  cxiiac  led,  puts  it 
out  of  question,  that  he  is  the  true  God.  The  6th,  the  Qth. 
and  tlie  35th,  each  prove  the  same  to  demonstration. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  1.9 

light  out  of  darkness,  order  and  beauty  out  of  chaos, 
comes  down  from  heaven  to  attest  this  truth.  He 
shall  glorify  me,  saith  Christ,  '*  for  he  shall  receive 
of  mine,  and  shall  shew  it  unto  you,''  John  xvi.  14. 
Displaying  the  glory  of  the  person  and  work  of  the 
Redeemer  who  came  to  seek  and  to  save  that  which 
was  lost. 

Judge  now  what  must  be  the  soul's  excellent  worth, 
which  originally  was  the  offspring  of  God,  and  made 
in  his  image  ;  then  the  purchase  of  the  blood  of  his 
equal  Son  ;  and,  at  length,  the  pupil  of  the  Holy 
Gho'st,  to  be  educated  under  his  eye  and  influence 
for  heaven  When  nobility  stoops  to  the  office  of  a 
teacher,  nothing  beneath  the  heir  of  a  kingdom  is  the 
scholar.  How  great  then  must  be  the  worth  of  the 
soul,  which  has  the  Spirit  of  God  for  its  appointed 
instructor  and  continual  guide !  Further,  consider 
that  height  in  glor}  ,  or  dire  extremity  of  woe,  which 
must  be  the  endless  condition  of  every  soul.  Man, 
on  revolting  from  God,  was  banished  from  all  com- 
merce with  the  blessed  spirits  of  heaven-  But  when 
a  few  years  have  taken  their  flight,  if  salvation  has 
been  accepted,  the  soul  shall  be  as  the  angels  of  God, 
clothed  with  a  body  refulgent  like  the  sun;  raised  to 
a  perfection  exceeding  our  highest  reach  of  thought, 
all  its  faculties  infinitely  surpassing  in  excellence  the 
outward  beauty  with  which  it  is  arrayed.  Now,  as 
we  always  estimate  the  grandeur  of  a  person  from 
the  exalted  station  he  is  born  to  bear,  and  the  posses- 
sions he  shall  one  day  call  his  own,  how  amazingly 
great  must  the  worth  of  the  soul  be,  since,  unless 
ruined  by  incorrigible  contempt  of  God,  it  shall  in- 
herit the  riches  of  eternity,  minister  before  his  throne, 
and  drink  of  rivers  of  pleasures,  which  are  at  his 
right  hand,  for  ever  more ! 

On  the  other  hand,  the  scripture  account  of  their 
miseries,  who  perish,  as  strongly  proves  the  same 


20  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

truth,  though  it  be  distressing  to  consider  their  ease* 
For  if  the  soul  be  not  admitted,  through  the  Saviour's 
mediation,  into  heaven,  O  sad  alternative  !  its  doom 
(like  a  sentence  pronounced  on  offenders  whose  high 
distinction  serves  only  to  inflame  their  guilt)  strikes 
us  with  horror.  It  must,  indeed,  be  banished  to  an 
inconceivable  distance  from  God,  and  separated  by 
and  impassable  gulph.  It  must  have  him  for  the 
avenger  of  all  its  crimes,  in  comparison  of  whose 
strength,  ail  created  might  is  weaker  than  a  new-born 
babe.  That  arm  is  to  be  stretched  out  against  it 
which  shoots  the  planets  in  their  rounds,  and  taketh 
up  the  isles  as  a  very  little  thing.  The  soul  which 
peri  hes  is  to  suffer  punishment  the  same  in  kind 
with  the  avowed  enemy  of  the  blessed  God,  whose 
only  aim,  since  his  fall  from  heaven,  has  been  to 
undermine  and  oppose  Christ's  kingdom  ;  who  has 
already  seduced  souls  without  number,  and  will  go 
on  in  einnity  against  his  Maker,  till  eternal  ven- 
geance falls  on  his  head.  Though  not  in  equal  tor- 
iTient,  yet  in  the  same  hell  with  this  execrable  be- 
ing, the  soul  which  perishes  must  endure  the  wrath 
to  come. 

Whether  you  regard,  therefore,  the  felicity  or  ruin, 
one  of  which,  in  a  few  fleeting  years,  the  soul  must 
feel,  you  will  find  it  hard  to  determine,  which  of 
the  two  most  loudly  declares  its  grandeur. 

These  evidences,  obvious  in  the  scripture  page, 
demonstrate  that  the  poorest  beggar  possesses  a  dig- 
nity in  his  own  person  greater,  above  expression, 
than  all  the  world  can  give  him.  The  soul  within^ 
hy  which  he  thinks,  and  reasons,  and  acts,  surpas- 
ses in  worth  all  the  eye  ever  saw,  or  the  fancy  ever 
formed.  Before  one  such  immortal  being,  the  mag- 
nificence even  of  the  natural  world  is  diminutive,  be- 
cause transient.  All  these  things  wax  old,  as  doth 
a  garment,  and  all  the  works  of  nature  shall  be  burnt 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  ^l 

up;  but  the  years  of  the  soul,  in  happiness  or  woe, 
like  its  Maker,  remain  unchangeable. 

From  considering,  with  due  attention,  these  proofs 
of  the  excellent  worth  of  the  soul,  you  will  under- 
stand the  ground  of  that  astonishing  assertion,  from 
the  mouth  of  Christ,  that  in  Heaven  the  seat  of  glory, 
and  among  angels,  whose  thought  can  never  stoop  to 
any  thing  low,  ''  there  is  joy  over  one  sinner  that  re- 
penteth."  You  will  understand  why  the  Lord  God 
almighty  gives  such  solemn  warnings,  such  press- 
ing calls,  such  affectionate  entreaties  to  sinful  men, 
to  bring  them  to  feel  a  just  concern  for  themselves. 
These  things  bear  exact  proportion  to  the  worth  of  an 
immortal  soul. 


SUNDAY  11. 

CHAP.    U. 


The  Knowledge  of  the  Soul's  excellent  Worth  necessary 
to  perforai  Christian  Obedience. 


Naturally  we  pursue,  which  greedlress,  the 
gratifications  of  sense,  and  the  things  of  time.  VVlitn 
we  enter  on  the  stage  of  life,  the  amusements  of  fol- 
ly and  the  pleasures  of  sin  captivate  us,  as  the  chief, 
if  not  the  only  sources  of  delight.  Hence  youth  are 
very  shy  of  religion,  notwithstanding  its  rich  pro- 
mises of  present  peace  and  joy,  and  of  eternal  life  in 
the  world  to  come.  They  regard  it  as  a  malevolent 
foe  to  their  pleasures.  But  soon  as  they  perceive  the 
excellent  Vv^orth  of  their  souls,  they  supremely  value 


22  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

and  earnestly  pursue  things  unseen  and  eternal. 
Thus  uiformed,  every  prejudice  iigainst  religion 
ceases  and  the  language  even  of  youthful  hearts  is 
this : 

''  The  bloom  of  my  days,  and  the  vigour  of  my 
life,  shall  be  directed  to  my  best,  my  everlasting  in- 
terest. A  clear  abiding  conviction  of  my  soul's  im- 
mortal nature,  has  delivered  me  from  listening  to  the 
flattering  solicitation  of  my  lusts,  and  broken  the 
magic  force  of  their  cruel  enchantments." 

Through  the  several  succeeding  stages  in  life,  no 
less  than  in  }  outh,  this  knowledge  is  equally  need- 
ful. Nothing  less  can  with  certainly  be  depended 
on,  to  preserve  men  inviolably  honest  amidst  tha 
temptations  which  abound  in  trade,  and  in  every 
profession.  For  the  coffee-house,  the  change,  the 
university,  with  every  private  circle  of  companv, 
pour  out  infectious  discourse,  and,  bv  perpetual 
jiraise  of  Vvxalth,  inflame  us  with  desires  after  it. 
Hence  spring  deceit  and  roguery,  the  diseases  of 
trade,  which  ruin  thousands.  They  are  engendered 
by  rage  after  money,  as  the  chief  good  of  men. 
This  wide-spread  evil  nothing  can  control,  but  a 
full  persuasion  of  the  soul's  inestimiible  worth.  Es- 
tablish this,  immediately  every  lalse  defiling  idea  of 
gain  and  worldly  prosperity  appears  in  its  folly  ciiid 
deformity.  Trade  will  then  be  carried  on  with  tem- 
perance of  affection  ;  an  enlightened  conscience,  like 
a  vigilant  sentinel,  will  sound  an  alarm  in  every  hour 
of  danger,  and  enable  the  man  of  business  to  conquer 
what  led  him  captive  before.  For  to  all  that  would 
lead  him  to  transgress,  he  will  naturally  noiv  say,  as 
he  feels,  "  What  is  a  man  profited,  if  he  shall  gain 
the  whole  world,  and  lose  his  own  soul  ?  and  what 
shall  a  man  give  in  exchange  for  his  soul?" 

Further,  the  ground  of  neal  prayer,  and  success  in 
it,  entirely  depends  la  knowledge  of  the  soul's  worth. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  -23 

Hypocrisy,  in  addresses  from  one  man  to  another, 
is  detestable ;  how  much  more  in  confessions  or 
petitions  before  God  ?  Yet  prayer  can  be  no  better 
than  hypocrisy,  till  the  supplicant  feels  the  worth  of 
his  immortal  spirit.  Wrath  revealed  against  sin, 
deliverance  from  its  dominion  and  defilement,  sup- 
plies of  grace  and  spiritual  consolation,  are  empty 
sounds,  till  the  salvation  of  the  soul  is  our  grand 
concern.  For,  in  the  nature  of  things,  there  can  be 
no  cries  to  God  from  the  heart  in  prav  er,  where  we 
apprehend  no  great  misery,  if  we  fLiil ;  nor  hope  for 
any  considerable  advantagfe,  though  crowned  with 
success.  We  may,  indeed,  personate  in  a  closet,  or 
at  church,  a  man  in  earnest  seeking  after  God,  by 
constantly  using  the  prayers  one  of  that  character 
would  pour  out  before  him  with  the  noblest  sensi- 
bility. But  till  we  are  deeply  conscious  of  the  soul's 
worth,  we  act  a  part  on  our  knees  in  secret,  or  at 
church,  as  much  as  players  do  upon  the  stage.  We 
appear  at  certain  times  in  a  character  no  more  our 
own,  than  what  they  assume  on  the  theatre,  is  theirs. 
Hence  multitudes,  constantly  engage  in  acts  of  de- 
votion, remain  grossly  ignorant  and  utterly  unaf- 
fected by  every  thing  they  profess  to  believe,  and 
day  by  day  seem  to  implore.  Their  confessions  are 
deceitful,  their  prayers  heartless,  and  their  thanks- 
giving without  gratitude.  They  are  ridiculous  to 
men  of  sense,  the  triumph  of  the  profane,  and  an 
offence  continually  in  the  sight  of  God :  for  he  must 
receive  services  just  as  they  are  ;  and  where  nothing 
but  outward  homage  and  fine  words  are  offered  up 
to  him,  nothing  can  be  obtained.  Sin  is  not  par- 
doned, nor  one  evil  temper  subdued.  All  the  fruit 
of  such  feigned  intercourse  with  God  is  to  flatter 
self-love,  and  harden  men  in  presumption,  till  their 
hypocrisy  be  at  once  fully  discovered,  and  punished 
as  it  deserves. 


24  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

On  the  contrary,  deep  consciousness  of  yoursouPs 
worth  will  qualify  you  for  every  act  of  devotion. 
Godly  sorrow  for  sin  will  attend  confession  of  it, 
when  lamented  as  an  enemy  to  your  immortal  inter- 
est. With  ardour  and  importunity  you  will  im- 
plore grace  and  pardon,  when  their  value  are  felt  as 
inseparably  Cimnected  with  eternal  life.  Most 
hearty  and  lively  will  be  your  thanksgiving  for  spi- 
ritual mercies,  when  they  are  known  to  be  absolute- 
ly necessary  to  prepare  the  soul  for  everlasting  feli- 
city, and  save  it  from  endless  torments. 

It  follows,  therefore,  that  in  the  same  degree  as 
we  ought  to  value  a  preservative  from  iniquity,  and 
the  only  possible  incitement  to  use  aright  the  solemn 
acts  of  devotion  to  which  we  are  called,  the  worth 
of  the  soul  must  be  acknowledged,  since,  from  this 
acknowledgment  alone,  both  must  spring. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  01  MAN,  2B 

SUNDAY  III. 

CHAP.  III. 

On  Carefulness  to  save  tlie  SouU 


1  HE   supreme  wisdom  of  laboiirinj^  in  the  first 
place  to  save  the  soul   will  best  appear  from  com- 
paring this  objt'Ct  with  those  of  chief  value  amoni^st 
men.     These  are  beauty,   honour,   knowledge,   and 
wealth.      The  lovely  form,   which  so  easily  capri^ 
vates  the  heart  of  man,  and  fi'ls  the  mind  which 
owns  it  with  self-exalting  thoughts,   little  deserves 
the    idolatrous    reg.ird   it  receives.     No  power  on 
earth  can  insure  it  from  the  waste  of  time,  from  the 
blast  of  disease,  or  the  untimely  stroke  of  death. 
The  place  of  honour,  or  the  enchantments  of  popu- 
lar applause,  are  of  little  worth,   because  subject  to 
all  the  caprice  of  fickle-minded  men.     How  many, 
once  the  favourhes  of  their  king,   the  idols  of  a  na- 
tion,  have  lived  to  see  their  envied  honours  wither 
round  them,  and  their  name  sink  into  oblivion,   if 
not  contempt !     Ambition  for  literary  fame,  and  ac- 
quisition of  knowledge,   is  no  less  liable  to  utter 
disappointment.     In  one  fiUal  hour  a  fever  or  par- 
alytic   stroke  may  disorder   your   brain,    or   wipa 
away  from  your  memory  the  very  traces  of  all  the 
treasure  so  carefull}  committed  to  its  keeping.    Thus 
mav  you  be  left  a  sad  survivor  of  yourself ;  a  mor,. 
tifying  spectacle  to  human  pride  ;    a  melancholy  ir* 
resistible  proof  how  easily  men  may  rate  the  attain- 
ment even  of  knowledge  in  arts  and  sciences  higlier 
than  it  deserves. 

If  your  great  aim  in  life  be  to  command  all  exter- 
nal advantages,  which  can  minister  to  vanity  or  plen- 


ae  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN: 

sure,  your  pursuit  is  not  only  low  and  despicable,  but 
vour  enjoyment  precarious  to  the  last  degree.  Life 
itself,  the  foundation  of  your  joys,  is  but  a  vapour 
that  soon  vanishes  aw^ay.  Every  day  we  see  some 
0])ulent  sons  of  industry  rooted  out  of  their  dwelhngs, 
and  commanded  away  into  another  world,  where  not 
a  mite  of  all  their  gain  can  follow  them. 

But  suppose  your  affections  more  laudably  ens^ross- 
ed  by  love  of  your  offspring,  whom  to  neglect  would 
be  worse  than  brutish— yet  here  you  may  much  ex- 
ceed all  reasonable  bounds,  and  only  prepare  for  your- 
self insufferable  anguish.  You  are  utterly  impotent 
to  preserve  from  fierce  disease,  or  violent  death,  the 
beloved  image  of  your  own  person.  When  out  of 
your  sight,  or  at  a  distance,  you  may,  like  Sisera's' 
fond  mother,  chide  its  delay,  and  be  asking,  (prompt- 
ed by  impatient  love),  why  is  my  son,  or  daughter, 
so  long  in  coming?  when  the  all-wise  God  has  been 
pleased  to  take  away  the  desire  of  your  eyes  with  a 
stroke. 

Thus  it  appears  from  a  just  survey  of  every  object 
to  which  men  can  give  themselves  up,  how  vain  it  is, 
when  weighed  in  the  balance  with  a  supreme  con- 
cern for  the  salvation  of  the  soul.  Whatever  you  can 
pursue,  this  excepted,  a  very  degradinj^  circumstance 
necessarily  attends  it ;  it  can  be  no  better  than  an 
annuity  for  life,  the  value  of  which  each  succeeding 
year  greatlv  diminishes,  and  at  the  hour  of  death,  the 
whole  must  end  for  ever. 

On  the  contrary,  if  you  are  only  solicitous  to  save 
your  soul,  the  unexpected  disasters,  inevitable  disap- 
p(jintments,  and  sudden  death,  which  scourge  and 
harass  the  children  of  this  world,  will  be  affecting 
proofs  of  the  wisdc^m  and  unrivalled  excellency  of 
your  choice.  The  shame,  grief,  and  rage,  so  frequent 
amongst  diSLippointed  men,  will  proclaim  you  blessed, 
who,  feeling  the  v/orth  of  your  soul,  seek  its  eternal 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  2r 

welfare,  by  a  constant  intercourse  with  its  Creator, 
Redeemer,  and  sanctifier.  Then  you  may  set  at  de- 
fiance the  army  of  exils,  so  terrible  to  all  w ho  have 
their  portion  here.  That  army  may  call  forth  and  try 
your  faith  and  patience,  but  hurt  your  soul  it  cannot. 
In  every  possible  circumstance,  the  uise  choice  you 
have  made,  will  at  once  cover  you  as  armour,  and 
fill  you  with  a  hope  full  of  immortality.  Are  you 
poor,  and  despised  for  being  so  ?  You  have  examples 
and  prospects  before  you,  more  than  sufficient  to  bear 
uo  your  spirits.  You  see  your  own  case  in  the  iiiiaU 
lible  history  of  the  saints  of  God,  who  were  destitute 
and  ufllJcted,  and  in  that  wondci  ful  contrast  of  rnean^ 
ness  and  (grandeur,  extreme  poverty  and  immense 
wealth -of  soul,  die  dyino;  Lazarus.  With  g'iadiicss 
of  heart  you  will  confess  the  deepest  distress,  and  the 
surest  title  to  glory  may  for  a  small  moment  unite  in 
the  same  person.  In  every  case  were  supren.c  at*  '//-W-^ 
tention  to  the  soul's  good  has  taken  place,  and  been 
manifest  in  faith  and  eve,  poverty,  however  ex- 
treme, affiictions,  however  long  continued,  must  add 
both  to  the  weight  and  brightness  of  }  our  eternal 
crown. 

In  sickness,  also,  the  supreme  wisdom  of  caring  . 
above  all  things  for  the  soul  shines  out  with  great 
b -i^ditness.  For  though  health  be  essLUtial  to  sensi- 
tive happiness,  and  pining  disease  leaves  no  enjoy- 
ments to  the  proud  and  unbelieving,  vet,  in  this 
case,  all  who  have  sought  after  the  salvation  of  their 
soul  in  God's  own  appointed  way,  find  sources  of 
consolation  sufficient  to  preserve  them  from  wild 
impatience,  or  mist-rable  dejection  of  mind.  Inspu'- 
ed  with  lively  edifying  meekness  of  spirit,  they  re- 
ceive the  chastisement  of  their  heavenly  Father,  ef- 
fectually to  purge  away  stiil  more  of  the  dross 
which  cleaA  es  to  Iheir  souls.  Their  spiritual  weifuiC 
(more  prized  than  Iieakli,  strength,  or  naturid  life) 


^  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAS\ 

reconciles  them  to  correction,  so  supremely  usefu! 
to  it.  The  whole  man  miserably  suffers  in  time  of 
sickness  and  pain,  when  the  soul  has  been  despised ; 
vvht  n  valued,  and  instructed  in  divine  truth,  the  in- 
ferior part  alone  feels  the  pressure. 

To  advance  a  step  farther  :  Death,  the  detector  of 
all  cheats,  and  touchstone  of  true  worth,  will  cor.firm 
the  ex(  eilency  of  your  conduct,  in  caring  above  all 
things  for  your  soul.  On  the  bed  of  death,  the  gay, 
the  prosperous,  and  the  noble,  who  have  lived  in 
pleasure  upon  earth,  hang  down  their  heads.  Dis- 
tressini2^  indeed  is  their  situation ;  so  unprepared  for 
their  change  ;  the  loss  all  their  delights  is  come  up- 
on them  ;  their  dissolution  can  promise  them  noth- 
ing, if  it  forebode  not  evil  insupportable.  To  Chris- 
tims  who  have  felt  the  worth  of  their  souls,  every 
thii  g  about  them  wears  another  aspect.  Must  they 
Lave  this  world?  It  has  been  already  long  ago  re- 
nounced. Must  they  part  with  all  temporal  benefits 
for  ever?  Hovv^  placid  the  surrender,  when  the 
rides  of  etenuty  are  theirs  !  No  repining,"  no  striv- 
ing t )  get  a  reprieve  from  the  sentence  of  death, 
which  has  been  habitually  expected  to  translate  their 
souls  to  everlasting  rest. 

In  fact,  abundant  proofs  have  been  given  in  their 
last  hou'S  (whtii  mortal  disease  left  reason  unimpair- 
ed) by  all  \\{-\o  have  been  dulv  careful  to  save  their 
soul.-^,  of  their  excellent  choice.  I'hose  strong  lines 
of  T>\.  Young's  justly  describe  the  happy  few,  whose 
souls  h^ve  bten  more  precious  to  them  than  every 
earthly  object. 

77/e  cliajnbcr  ivhe.re  the  christian  ?)irets   /lis'  fate^ 

Js  /i}'ivil''if'd  beyond  the  comvion  nvalk 

Of  virtuous  lifp^  quite  in  the  verge  of  heaven  : 

God  vjuita  not  the  last  nwment  ;  no^  he  aims  hisji'ic7i(^k 

On  this  side  dvath^  and  points  them  out  tomeiu 

J.  lecture  J^-ilevty  but  cf  sovereigJi  Jiotver, 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  29 

These  several  great  ach'anta.c;es,  arising  from  su« 
preme  care  for  the  soul,  are  stili  more  valuable,  be- 
cause in  no  instance  uncertain.  You  may  brave  the 
thickest  dangers  of  war,  and  deserve  its  richest  re- 
wards, yet  fail  an  early  victim  in  the  bloody  fight, 
or  after  it  have  your  services  forgotten.  You  may 
barn  with  unexlinguishable  ardour  to  stand  high 
in  the  rank  of  scholars,  and  ruin  your  health  by  ex- 
cessive study,  yet  die  mortified  at  the  littleness  of 
your  reputation.  Your  labour  to  succeed  in  trade 
may  be  incessant,  yet  through  a  thousand  circum- 
stances, out  of  your  power,  disappointment  may 
meet  you  at  every  turn,  and  poverty  be  your  lot. 
The  favour  of  patrons,  friends,  and  relations,  maybe 
assiduously  courted,  and  appear  promising  as  you 
could  wish ;  yet  you  may  be  basely  suppiai\tcd,  and 
others  receiving  the  benefits  you  were  in  idea  grasp- 
ing; the  very  name  of  patrons,  friends,  and  relations, 
may  be  bitter  to  your  remembrance.  The  world 
every  day  exhibits  instances  of  disappointment  in 
each  of  the  cases  above  described.  But  if  }'ou  huve 
sought  the  salvation  of  your  soul,  through  faith  in 
Christ,  which  works  by  love,  you  stand  exalted  above 
every  change  incident  to  the  things  of  time.  You 
have  to  do  with  God  only  as  your  chief  good,  in 
whom  is  no  variableness,  neither  shadow  of  turning. 
You  may  be  rich,  therefore,  or  poor,  high  or  low 
in  your  station,  beloved  or  sligh.ted  by  friends,  pat-, 
rons,  or  relations ;  you  may  enjoy  heahh,  or  be 
oppressed  with  mortal  disease  ;  whilst  in  each'  state, 
should  you  ask  what  method  you  could  have  best 
taken  for  your  own  peace,  comfort,  and  feiicily  ? 
Reason,  conscience,  experience,  and  scripti.re,  will 
unanimously  reply  to  your  question,  the  very  method 
vou  have,  that  of  carins:  for  your  soul  above  all  things. 
Liike  a  prudent  factor,  in  a  distant  land,  wlio,  m- 
stead  of  lavishing  his  gain  in  voluptuousness,  yearly 


so  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

remits  it  home,  that,  after  all  dangers  and  toils,  he 
may  enjoy  his  native  country  with  ease  and  honour; 
so  you  will  be  daily  growing  rich  and  more  rich. 
Sure,  through  death,  to  enter  into  that  pure  and 
blessed  world,  where,  amidst  congratulating  saints 
and  angels,  you  shall  take  possession  of  an  inherit- 
ance prepared  for  your  soul,  incorruptible  and  unde- 
filed,  and  that  fadeth  not  away,  reserved  for  you. 


THANKSGIVING  8?  PRAYER, 

Suited  to  the  preceding  subject. 

WE  thank  thee,  O  Father  of  the  spirits  of  all 
flesh,  for  breathing  into  man  a  soul  capable  of 
receiving  the  knowledge  of  thy  wondrous  works 
and  infinite  perfections,  and  dwelling  in  the  delight- 
ful view  of  them  for  ever.  Deliver  us,  w^e  humbly 
beseech  thee,  from  that  wilful  ignorance,  and  stupid 
contempt  of  our  souls,  natural  to  all,  and  generally 
prevailing  in  every  place.  Rescue  us,  with  a  mighty 
arm,  from  the  enslaving  power  of  this  present  evil 
world  ;  from  the  enchantment  of  sinful  pleasure  and 
earthly  comforts,  and  anxious  care  for  the  body  :  lest 
these  things  make  us  inattentive  to  the  welfare  of  our 
immortal  souls.  By  thy  power  and  grace  preserve  us 
from  the  infection  of  unreasonable  and  wicked  men, 
who  have  not  faith  ;  and,  from  being  overcome  with 
fear  of  their  reproaches,  to  join  in  their  profane  neg- 
lect of  salvation.  Wherever  we  are,  still  sound,  O 
blessed  God !  in  our  ears,  What  is  a  man  profited,  if 
he  shall  gain  the  whole  xvorld.  and  lose  his  own  soul? 
and  what  shall  a  man  give  in  exchange  for  his  soul? 
Continually  dispose  us  to  avoid  all  such  things  as 
will  be  hurtful,  and  to  follow  after  those  things  which 
will  be  profitable  to  our  salvation. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  m 

Have  compassion,  O  God!  on  the  vast  multitude 
wlio  sell  ihtir  souls  for  nought,  and  are  at  ease, 
thoui^h  oa  the  point  of  perishing  for  ever.  Cause 
the  bcaies  to  fall  from  their  eyes.  Take  away  from 
them  all  hardness  of  heart,  contempt  of  thy  word, 
and  cruelty  towards  themselves,  that  their  souls  may 
be  saved  in  the  day  of  the  Lord.  We  ask  it  for 
Christ's  sake  our  only  Mediator  and  Redeemer,  in 
\vhom  we  trust. — Amen, 


SUNDAY  IV, 
CHAP.  IV, 

The  Scripture  Character  of  God, 

1  HE  first  duty  of  a  Christian,  which  must  be  in^ 
violabiv  kept,  is  to  think  of  God,  in  full  agree- 
ment of  the  revelation  he  hath  given  of  himself;  to 
meditate  on  this  with  diligence,  humility,  and  prayer, 
not  daring  to  indulge  fallacious  reasonings,  lest,  form- 
ing an  imaginary  God,  he  should  worship  the  crea- 
ture of  his  own  b?ain. 

This  absolute  submission  of  the  understanding  to 
divine  revelation  will  not  be  thought  in  the  least  dis- 
honourable, if  it  be  considered,  that,  in  our  present 
stdic  Of  corruption,  we  are  utterly  unable  to  form  just 
conceptions  of  God,  when,  leaving  the  guidance  of 
scripture,  we  put  ourselves  in  the  condition  of  unen- 
lighten'.  d  heathe.is.  Their  errors  on  this  most  import- 
ant subject,  as  universal  as  they  were  lamentable,  de- 


•^  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAK. 

cisively  prove  the  weakness  of  human  understandina;'^ 
and  the  gross  ignorance  in  man,  of  God  his  maker. 
1  shall,  therefore,  lay  before  you  what  the  scripture 
teaches  on  this  fundamental  article  of  belief;  and,  in 
absolute  submission  to  it,  delineate  the  character  of 
the  blessed  God,  as  he  himself  hath  drawn  it ;  that, 
knowing  the  divine  nature,  we  may  pay  unto  him 
the  honour  due  unto  his  name  ;  and  underbtandJ ng 
his  adorable  excellency,  may  cry  out,  *'  Gieat  and 
marvellous  are  thy  works,  Lord  God  Alm.ightv  ;  just 
and  true  are  thy  ways,  thou  King  of  Saints  !  ^^  ho 
shall  not  fear  thee,  O  Lord,  and  glorify  thy  name  ?" 

The  scripture  teaches  us  the  eternal  existence  of 
God.  All  other  beings  once  were  not ;  and  the 
same  power  which  gave  them  life  could  reduce  them 
to  their  original  nothing.  He,  on  the  contrary,  from 
all  eternity,  in  essence,  felicity,  and  perfection,  has 
been  what  he  now  is,  and  will  remain  eternally. 
The  things  which  are  seen  compel  us  to  acknow- 
ledge this  incomprehensible  truth.  And  agreeing 
with  this  proof  is  his  own  declaration:  ''  1  am  that  I 
am:  the  high  and  lofty  One  that  inhabiteth  eternity." 

Nearly  allied  to  the  eternal  existence,  is  the  im- 
mutability of  God.  His  purposes  and  decrees,  his 
love  and  hatred,  remain  the  same  towards  their  re- 
spective objects.  ''  I  am  the  Lord,  I  change  not.  In 
him  is  no  variableness,  neither  shadow  of  turning.'* 
God  is  called  a  rock,  to  teach  us,  that  as  this  contin- 
ues immoveable,  whilst  the  surrounding  ocean  is  in 
perpetual  fluctuation,  so,  whilst  the  whole  creation  is 
changeable,  capable  of  new  additions  with  respect  to 
their  knowledge,  power,  or  degrees  of  felicity,  God 
alone  is  absolutely  the  same,  yesterday,  to-day,  and 
for  ever. 

God  is  a  spirit,  i.  e.  possesses,  in  the  highest  pos- 
sible degree,  understanding,  will,  consciousness,  and 
aclivit^^     In  these  properties  every  spirit  stands  ex- 


COMH.ETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  S3 

alted  above  matter,  and  is  distinguished  from  it.  But 
though  this  difference  be  sufficient  to  help  our  weak 
conceptions  to  separate  between  matter  and  spirit,  as 
objects  of  a  totally  different  nature ;  yet  scripture 
teaches  us,  that  God  surpasses  in  excellence  all  crea- 
ted spirits,  infinitely  more  than  they  do  the  material 
creation.  For  we  are  to  conceive  of  him,  not  only 
as  a  living,  intelligent,  active  being,  essentially  dis- 
tinct from  all  the  bodies  our  eyes  behold,  but  as  pos- 
sessing perfections  which  belong  to  no  spnit  he  has 
formed,  and  infinitely  distant  from  every  imperfec- 
tion adhering  to  them  ;  such  as,  their  existence 
within  certain  limits,  their  ignorance  in  numberless 
instances,  and  their  defects  in  excellency  ;  whilst  the 
Father  of  the  spirits  of  all  fiesh  is  omnipresent,  infinite 
in  knowledge,  wisdom,  power,  and  every  perfec- 
tion. The  universe,  which  entirely  owes  its  ex- 
istence to  his  creating  power,  is  not  only  governed, 
but  incessantly  sustained  by  him ;  and  the  whole 
immeasurable  frame  pervaded  by  his  all  enlivening 
influence.  Do  not  I  fill  heaven  and  earth!  sa'ith  the 
Lord.  This  divine  perfection  is  described  with 
equal  sublimity  and  force  in  the  scripture,  Ps. 
cxxxix.  Whither  shall  I  go  from  the  spirit?  or 
ivhither  shall  I  flee  from  thy  presence?  If  I  ascend 
up  into  heaven  (the  regions  above  the  firmament) 
thou  art  there  ;  1  should  find  myself  not  only  withia 
the  limits  of  thy  sovereign  dominion,  but  under  thv 
immediate  inspection.  If  I  make  my  bed  in  helU 
plunging  into  the  unknown  mansions  of  the  dead, 
and  the  invisible  world,  where  even  imagination 
loses  itself,  behold!  thou  art  there.  If,  with  the 
swiftness  of  the  sun's  rising  ray,  1  could  convey  my- 
self to  the  uttermost  part  of  the  western  world,  even 
fJiere  shall  thy  hand  lead  me  and  thy  right  liand  shall 
hold  me.  In  thee  I  shall  exist,  thy  presence  shall 
surround  me ;  thy  enlivening  power  shall  support 

E 


.a*  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN, 

my  frame.  If  I  say  siirelij  the  darkness  shall  cover 
me.  eve?}  the  night  shall  be  light  about  we  ;  yta  the 
darkness  hideth  not  from  thee,  but  the  night  shimth 
as  the  day ;  the  darkness  and  light  are  both  alike  to 
thee. 

The  scripture  having  thus  forcibly  described  the 
presence  of  God,  with  all  things  actually  existing, 
exalts  his  glory  still  higher,  by  teaching  us  that  his 
immensity  reaches  b^  \  ond  the  bourids  of  the  creation. 
We  are  commanded  to  say,  with  holy  admiratioa.  to 
the  God  of  our  li\  es,  Behold,  the  heaven  of  heavens 
§annot  contain  thee !    \    Kings  viii. 

The  onnnpresent  God  is  almighty.  Every  creat- 
ed agent  can  only  fashion  his  work  from  materials 
already  prepared,  \\hich  he  cannot  make.  The 
glorious  God  commands  things  into  being.  He  is 
not  beholden  to  matter  for  its  existence,  as  of  service 
to  him  in  the  formation  of  the  w^orld  ;  for  luid  this 
been  self-existent,  it  must  have  bten  immutib  e  too. 
On  the  contrary,  all  things,  whether  matt  rial  or 
spiritual,  stood  up  before  the  mighty  God  at  his  call, 
and  were  created  at  his  pleasure.  The  heavens  and 
all  the  host  of  them,  the  earth,  and  all  things  xvhich 
are  therein,  are  the  work  of  his  hands ;  by  the 
7Vord  of  the  Lord  were  the  heavens  made  and  all  the 
host  of  them  by  the  breath  of  his  mouth  I  the 
Lord  have  made  the  earth,  and  created  men  upon  it. 
I  have  stretched  out  the  heavens^  and  all  their  host 
have  I  commanded. 

The  same  almighty  power  of  God,  to  which  the 
whole  creation  owes  its  birth,  is  maiifcsttd  by  the 
disposition  and  preservation  of  the  world  in  order 
and  harmony.  He  watereth  the  earth,  and  blesseth 
the  increase  of  it.  He  cover eth  the  heavens  with 
clouds,  and  pre  par  etJ I  rain  for  the  earth.  He  givcth 
snow  like  wool  and  scatter  eth  the  hoar  frost  like 
mshes»      Ha  divideth  the  sea  with  his  power ^  and  lay- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  35 

€th  up  the  depths  in  storehouses:  fire  and  hail,  storm 
end  timpest.  fulfil  his  word 

'VU^t  stcach  couihe  of  liaiiire,  which  profane  men 
consider  as  the  eftect  of  necessity,  is  the  uricmi  ^ 
ao^eiicy  of  his  almig^hty  power.  It  is  he  aione  7vho 
makes  the  day-spring  know  its  place  and  strctc/ies 
out  the  shadow  of  the  evening.  He  command^i  ihe 
sun  to  shine  by  day  and  the  moon  by  night ;  hf  t  re- 
pares  a  place  for  the  rain,  and  a  way  for  the  Iv^ht- 
ning  and  thunder  He  makes  the  herbs  to  grow  upon 
the  earth.  The  hand  of  the  Lord  doth  all  these 
things. 

The  scripture  teaches  us  to  conceive  \Ahat  is  the 
infinite  power  of  God,  by  dechiring  that  in  a  moment 
he  can  dissolve  the  whole  frame  of  nature.  Human 
force  must  labour  hard  to  demolish  wluitcost  it  se- 
vere toil  to  erect ;  but  with  ^^reater  ease  than  we  can 
utter  a  word,  the  Most  High  changes  the  face  of  the 
creation,  and  destroys  what  seemed  to  be  of  end  t  ss 
duration.  He  removes  the  mountains^  and  they  know 
it  not ;  he  overturneth  them  in  his  anger.  He  com- 
mandeth  the  su?i.  and  it  riseth  not.  and  sealeth  up  the 
stars.  He  shaketh  the  earth  out  of  its  place,  and  the 
pillars  thereof  tremble.  The  pillars  of  heaven 
tremble,  and  are  astonished  at  his  reproof  The 
mountains  quake  at  him,  and  the  hills  melt^  and  the 
€arth  is  burnt  at  his  presence. 

But  in  the  attribute  of  irresistible  power,  consi- 
dered by  itself,  there  is  no  loveliness.  To  contem- 
plate it  u'ith  pleasure  as  the  obj;  ct  of  adoration  ajid 
trust,  we  must  behold  it  in  u.ion  with  other  perfec- 
tions. In  such  union  it  sub^^ists  in  God  :  for  his 
knowledge  and  wisdom  are  equal  to  his  poucr. 
More  clearly  does  he  comprehend  his  own  eternitv, 
.than  we  our  temporary  existence  ;  more  perfectly  his 
own  immensity,  tha.i  we  our  limited  concliiion  of 
treing  ;  more  cei  cainly  his  own  extent  of  wisdom  and 


3S  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

power,  than  we  the  thous^hts  which  pass  through  our 
mijids.  His  understanding,  therefore,  is  properly 
said  to  be  infinite. 

Bntif  he  knows  hiinself,  he  must  know  also  the 
work  of  his  ow^n   hands  ;    for  the  meanest  artificer, 
though  imperfectly  acquainted  with  the  nature   of 
the  materials  he    works  on,  knows  every  effect  de- 
pendmg  on  his    own  A'oluntary  operation.     Since, 
thentibre,  from  the  greatest  to  the  least,  in  heaven 
or  earth,  the  hand  of  God  has  formed,  and  his  pro- 
vidence preser^'es  them  all,   the  whole  must  be  tho- 
roughly  known  to   him ,  and,  wherever  his  power 
works,  his  understanding  must  discern.     The  vast 
fabric,  therefore,  of  the   universe,  all   its  laws  and 
furniture,  with  everv   event  from    first  to  last,  are 
known   unto   him.     The  countless  hosts  of  sinless 
angels,  and   the  world  of  apostate  ones  ;  the  long 
progeny  of  mankind,  v/ith  all  the  designs,   desires, 
and  thoughts  which  have  been  in  the  mind  of  each 
individual,  and  all  the  words   which  have  ever  fled 
from  their  lips,  fall  under  his  notice.     With  infalli- 
ble comprehension,   he  knows  all  the  active  princi- 
ples of  the  spirits  he  has  formed  ;    how  they  will  be 
moved  by  the  presence  of  every  object  which  can 
come   before  them  ;  how  they   will  act  upon  every 
temptaiion  that  can  try  them,   and  in  every  circum- 
stance in  which  they  can  be  placed.      These  ideas  of 
the  blessed  God,  his  own  oracles  command  us  to  con^ 
xeive.      ''  The  ways  of  man  are  before  the  Lord,  and 
he  pondereth  all  his  goings.     The  eyes  of  the  Lord 
are   in  every  place.    He   looketh  to  the  ends  of  the 
earth,  and  seeth  under  the  whole  heaven-     The  Lord 
searcheth  all   hearts,  and  understandeth  all  imagina- 
tions   of  the    thoughts.      He  knov/cth    the    things 
tliat  come  into  our  mind,  every  one  of  them.     All 
things  are  naked  and  open  unto  the  eyes  of  him  \\  ith 
whom  we  have  to  do.'* 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  ST 

Joined  with  «-his  absolute  perfection  of  knowledge 
in  G  :d,  vs  wis^-iom,  or  tbd  best  exercise  and  im- 
proveiiieat  of  kiiovvi'jd.2:e.  In  wisdom  he  superin- 
tends and  adjusts  all  parts  of  the  universe  ;  so  that, 
v/hatever  chaui^es  any  of  them  underi^o,  their  use- 
fuhiess  and  con-.txioit  wiih  ei^ch  other  are  uniform- 
ly pre se-  ve.d  He  accontphsheshispurpor^es,  through 
means  to  human  apprehension  most  unlikely.  He 
founds  ^lie  highest  manifestation  of  his  glory  on 
what  d  >;.  aved  men  despise  and  deride,  and  in  the 
glaring-  weakness  of  his  agents,  displays  the  excel- 
lency of  his  own  power.  He  entangles  the  rulers 
of  darkness  in  their  own  net ;  and  by  their  own 
stratagems  ruins  all  their  laboured  designs.  The 
greatest  cruellv  of  Satan  and  his  instruments,  he 
makes  subservient  to  a  scheme  of  eternal  mercv,  and 
over-rules  the  apostacy  of  Adam  to  display  his  mani- 
fold wisdom  to  men  and  angels.  '*For  he  has  estab- 
lished the  world  in  wisdom,  and  stretched  out  the 
heavens  by  his  discretion.  He  is  wonderful  in  coun- 
sel and  excellent  in  wo''king.  The  foolishness  of  God 
is  wiser  than  men,  and  the  weakness  of  God  is 
stronger  than  men.  He  disappointeth  the  devices  of 
the  crafty,  so  that  they  cannot  perform  their  tnter- 
prizes.  His  counsels  stand  for  ever,  and  the  thoughts 
of  his  heart  from  generation  to  generation." 

The  several  perfections  of  God,  which  have  been 
placed  before  you,  are  called,  by  way  of  distinction, 
his  natural  perfections.  The  more  we  consider 
them,  the  higher  must  our  admiration  and  our  aston- 
ishment rise.  For  v/ho  can  meditate  on  eternity, 
omnipresence,  omniscience,  almighty  power,  and 
infinite  wisdom,  without  feeling  they  are  subjects  too 
big  for  any  created  understanding  to  take  in  ?  But 
hjis  moral  perfections  we  can  comprehend  vvith  great 
clearness.  A  id  it  is  as  possessing  these  in  union 
with  his  natural,  that  God  claims  all  possible  rever- 


58  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

ence,  fear,  love,    trust,  and  obedience.     On  thes>€ 
perfections  we  shall  treat  in  the  next  chapter. 


SUNDAY  V. 

CHAP.  V. 

The  Scripture  Character  of  God. 

1  HE  first  of  God's  moral  perfections,  which  we 
shall  consider,  is  his  goodness.  By  this  we  mean 
the  exercise  of  his  almighty  power  in  freely  commu- 
nicating excellency  and  happiness  to  his  creatures, 
as  seemeth  right  to  his  own  infinite  understanding. 
*'  The  Lord  is  good  unto  all,  and  his  tender  mercies 
are  over  all  his  works.  He  openeth  his  hand,  and 
satisfieth  every  living  thing.  He  is  the  father  of 
mercies,  and  the  God  of  all  consolation  ;  the  earth 
is  full  of  the  goodness  of  the  Lord." 

So  strong  in  its  propensity  is  his  goodness,  and 
so  wide  in  its  extent,  as  to  bless  even  rebels  against 
his  government,  and  enemies  to  his  truth.  *'  He 
causeth  his  sun  to  shine,  and  his  rain  to  fall  on  the 
evil  and  on  the  good,  on  the  just  and  on  the  unjust. 
He  endures,  with  much  long-suffering,  the  vessels 
of  wrath  fitted  for  destruction."  He  encourages,  he 
commands  them  to  return  to  him.  "  Let  the  wicked 
forsake  his  ways,  and  the  unrighteous  man  his 
thoughts ;  and  let  him  return  unto  the  Lord,  and  he 
will  have  mercy  upon  him,  and  to  our  God,  for  he 
will  abandautly  pardon.     Come  now,  and  let  us  rea* 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN"  » 

son  tos^ether  :  though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they 
sliili  b^  as  white  as  snovv  ;  though  they  be  red  like 
ci  nnson,  thev  shall  be  as  wool."  Lest  these  asseve- 
ra lions  bhDulcl  not  entirely  remove  every  suspicion  of 
God  s  wiiinigness  to  pardon  the  most  enormous  of- 
fep.dtrs,  upon  their  application  to  him;  because  he 
coad  swear  by  no  greater,  he  swears  by  himself, 
**  Ah  I  live,  saith  the  Lord,  1  have  no  pleasure  hi  the 
d.  athoi  him  that  dieth ;  wherefore,  turn,  and  live  ye.'* 
And  that  all  who  should  ever  hear  his  word  might 
be ileve  his  glorious  goodjtess  thus  large,  he  passed 
before  Moses,  and  proclaimed,  ''  The  Lord,  the 
Lord  God,  merciful  and  gracious,  long-sufFerhig, 
abimdant  in  goodness  and  truth,  keeping  mercy  for 
thousands,  forgiving  iniquity,  transgression  and  sin.*' 
But  to  prevent  such  divine  goodness  from  bein^ 
totally  miscoostrucd  into  a  presumption,  that  were 
pardon  is  so  freely  offered  to  the  worst  of  men,  on 
their  return  to  Gud,  there  cannot  be  in  his  nature 
an  everlasting  abhorrence  of  evil ;  to  prevent  this 
fatal  error,  the  scripture  is  full  and  peremptory  in 
representing  the  *' holiness"  of  God,  that  essential 
disposition  of  his  all-perfect  mind,  which  is  infinitely 
opposite  to  all  evii.  For  as  his  power  excludes  eve- 
r\  idea  of  wtitkness  in  him,  and  his  wisdom  and 
kiiovviedge,  the  possibility  of  mistake  or  ignorance, 
so.  his  holiness  is  opposed  to  all  moral  imperfection 
or  sin,  and  is  to  be  considered  not  as  a  single  attri- 
bute only,  but  as  the  harmony  of  them  all  ''  the  beau- 
ty of  the  Lord  ;"  since  nothing  could  be  mentioned 
to  the  honour  of  God  without  holiness,  separate 
from  this,  all  other  excellencies  of  the  divine  nature 
would  be  inglorious.  His  wisdom  would  deserve 
no  better  name  than  that  of  subtlety,  nor  his  power 
than  that  of  dreadful.  Wherefore,  those  exalted 
spirits,  who  know  best  the  glories  of  the  divine  na- 
ture, make  heaven  resound  with  their  celebration  of 


40  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN". 

this  attribute,  *'  Holy,  holy,  holy  is  the  Lord  of 
Hosts."  Such  a  peculiar  regard  we  find  paid  lo  it 
by  the  blessed  God,  that,  in  confirmation  of  the  pro- 
mises of  the  everlasting  covenant,  he  saith,  Ojice 
have  I  sworn  by  my  holiness^  that  I  xvill  not  lie  unto 
David.     Psalm,  ixxxix. 

Inseparable  from  the  holiness  of  God.  is  the  con- 
tinual notice  he  takes  of  the  behaviour  of  each  indi- 
vidual respecting  himself  and  his  law.  On  this  p^u't 
of  his  character,  the  necessity  of  our  absolute  sul> 
jection  to  him  depends.  For,  was  God  either  ignor- 
ant of  what  men  do,  or  judged  it  insignificant,  we 
should  have  no  more  cause  to  retain  an  awe  of  him 
upon  our  minds,  than  if  we  w^r^  arhiests  ;  since 
it  is  not  the  existence  of  God,  but  liis  moral  e;overn- 
mcntofthe  world,  which  calls  for  our  love,  esteem, 
trtist,  and  obedience.  To  take  away>  therefore,  all 
groimd  of  suspecting  the  least  want  of  attention  in 
our  Creator,  to  our  de])ortment  and  the  tempers  of 
our  heart,  arising  from  his  own  glorious  rnajt- sty  and 
our  meanness;  to  root  out  this  pernicious  opinion, 
which  desire  of  sinning  with  impunity,  leads  us  aii  to 
cherish,  the  blessed  God  teaches  us  that  he  takes  ex- 
act cognizance  of  all  we  do,  speak,  think,  dt  sire, 
and  design,  determined  to  judge  us  accord iigly. 
"  His  eyes  behold,  and  his  eye-lids  rry  the  children  of 
men.  The  Lord  is  a  God  of  knowledge  ;  by  him 
actions  are  weighed.  1  the  Lord  search  the  heart,  I 
try  the  reins,  even  to  give  tver\  man  aecordir.g  to 
his  ways,  and  according  to  the  fruit  of  his  dohigs.'* 
Jer.  xvii.  10. 

And  lest  a  conclusion  sh.ould  be  drawn  fromi  the 
troubles  and  afflictions  of  the  righteous,  that  God 
is  not  a  re  warder  of  them  v/ho  diligently  seek  him  ; 
or  from  the  prosperity  of  the  wicked,  that  he  wiil  not 
punish  evil-doers,  the  scripture  entirely  jemoves  all 
foundation  for  such  a  thought,  by^  declaring  that  God 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MANf.  41 

hath  appointed  a  day,  in  which  he  will  judge  the 
world  in  righteousness,  and  the  people  by  his  truth, 
that  so  every  man  may  receive  the  things  done  in  liis 
body,  whether  they  be  good  or  bad. 

Not  that  the  end  of  time,  and  the  day  of  judgment 
is  the  only  period  when  God  makes  a  difference  be- 
tween those  who  serve  him,  and  those  who  serve  him 
not.  He  represents  himself,  in  the  strongest  terms, 
as  a  God  continually  exercising  distinguishing  iove 
to  his  fahhful  people,  whilst  he  is  insupportublv  ter- 
rible to  his  enemies.  Not  content  with  giving  to  the 
former  express  assurances  of  present  protection,  and 
of  salvation  in  the  eternal  world,  he  declares,  that  he 
maintains  with  them  a  constant  intercourse  of  friend- 
ship, making  such  discoveries  to  them  of  his  nature, 
truth,  and  tender  love  for  their  souls,  as  the  ungodly 
will  not  believe  is  possible.  That  in  every  season  of 
extraordinary  temptation,  he  secretly  endues  their 
souls  with  much  strength,  and  gives  them  power  to 
come  out  of  the  field  of  battle  more  than  conquerors. 
A  iarge  part  of  scripture  is  taken  up  in  representing 
this  matter,  from  whence  we  shall  select  a  few  passa- 
ges. "  The  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  upon  the  righteous, 
and  his  ear  is  open  to  their  cry.  The  steps  of  a  good 
man  are  ordered  by  the  Lord,  and  he  delighteth  ia 
his  way  ;  though  he  fall,  he  shall  not  be  utterly  cast 
down,  for  the  Lord  upholdeth  him  with  his  hand : 
for  the  Lord  loveth  judgment,  and  forsaketh  not  his 
saints;  they  are  preserved  for  ever.  The  Lord  is  a 
light  and  defence :  He  will  give  grace  and  glory, 
and  no  good  thing  will  he  withhold  from  them  that 
lead  a  godly  life-  The  secret  of  the  Lord  is  with 
them  that  fear  him,  and  he  will  shew  them  his  cove- 
nant. The  Lord  sitteth  above  the  water-floods,  the 
Lord  remameth  a  king  for  ever.  The  Lord  will  give 
strength  unto  his  people  ;  the  Lord  will  give  his  peo- 
ple the  blessing  of  peuce.     No  weapon  that  is  form- 

F 


«2  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

cd  against  thee  shall  prosper,  and  every  tongue  that 
riseth  agamst  thee  in  judgment,  thou  shalt  condemn. 
This  is  the  heritage  of  the  servants  of  the  Lord,  and 
their  righteousness  is  of  me,  saith  the  Lord." 

The  substance  of  all  these  inestimable  promises, 
made  to  believers  in  all  ages,  is  emphatically  con- 
firmed afresh  in  the  New  Testament.  ''  If  any  man 
loveth  me,  saith  Christ,  he  will  keep  my  command- 
ments, and  I  and  the  Father  will  love  him,  and  will 
come  unto  him,  and  make  our  abode  with  him." 
The  certain  enjoyment  of  such  a  peculiar  manifesta- 
tion of  God's  love,  St.  Paul  urges  as  a  sufficient  ar- 
gument to  engage  men,  for  the  sake  of  Christ,  to  re- 
nounce the  religion  of  their  father's  house,  and  bid 
defiance  to  a  world  of  idolaters  in  arms  against  them. 
"  Wherefore,  come  out  from  among  them,  and  be 
ye  separate,  and  touch  not  the  unclean  thing  (what  is 
offered  to  idols),  and  I  will  receive  you,  and  be  a 
Father  to  you,  and  ye  shall  be  my  sons  and  daugh- 
ters, saith  the  Lord  Almighty." 

Weigh  well  these  passages  of  holy  writ,  and  you 
will  see,  in  a  strong  light,  how  much  the  high  aiid 
iofty  One,  who  inhabiteth  eternity,  regards  the  on- 
duct  of  his  reasonable  creatures,  to  whom  lie  sends 
his  truth  ;  since,  in  every  instance,  without  respect 
of  persons,  he  is  not  ashamed  to  call  himself  the 
friend,  the  father,  and  the  exceeding  great  revvard  of 
the  faithful  in  Christ  Jesus.  He  does  not  think  it 
beneath  his  infinite  majesty  to  engage  his  word  arid 
oath,  that  he  will  never  leave  thtm,  nor  forsake  them ; 
but  will,  af'er  conducting  them  with  safety  and 
honour  through  this  liil:,  call  them  up  into  his  imme- 
diccte  presence  and  giory. 

On  the  other  hand,  we  have  demonstration,  that 
it  is  essential  to  his  nature  to  punish,  insupportably, 
all  encuiies  lo  his  ^-^vernment,  and  despisers  of  his 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  4^ 

Iriith,  dying  in  their  sins.  Hear  the  revelation  of 
tb  wralh  from  licaven  against  obstinate  opposers  of 
l\is  authority;  and  doubt,  if  you  can,  whether  he  is 
concerned  to  maintain  his  own  cause. 

''  Fhe  Lord  your  God  is  God  of  gods,  and  Lord 
of  lords,  a  great  God,  a  might}  and  terrible,  which 
regardeth  not  persons,  nor  taketh  rewards.  If  I 
xvhet  my  glittering  sword,  and  my  hand  lay  hold  on 
judgment,  I  v.  ill  render  vengeance  to  my  enemies, 
and  will  reward  them  that  hate  me.  1  will  make  my 
arrows  drunk  with  blood.  The  adversaries  of  the 
Lord  shall  be  broken  to  pieces  ;  out  of  heaven  shall 
he  thunder  upon  them.  God  is  angry  with  the  wicked 
every  day.  If  he  turn  not,  he  will  whet  his  sword. 
He  hath  bent  his  bow,  and  made  it  ready.  Upon 
the  ungodly  he  will  rain  snares,  fire  and  brimstone, 
and  a  ten  ible  tempest — this  shall  be  their  portion  to 
drink.  For  the  righteous  Loi  d  iovethrighteousness, 
his  countenance  will  behold  the  thing  that  is  just. 
The  Lord  will  come  with  fire,  and  with  his  chariots, 
like  a  whirlwind,  to  render  his  anger  with  furv,  and 
his  rebukes  with  flames  of  fire  ;  for  by  fire  and  his 
sword  will  the  Lord  plead  with  all  flesh,  and  the  slain 
of  the  Lord  shall  be  many.  And  they  shall  go  forth 
and  look  upon  the  men  who  have  transgressed 
against  me ;  for  their  worm  shall  not  die,  neither 
shall  their  fire  be  quenched,  and  they  shall  be  an  ab- 
horring unto  all  flesh." 

To  comment  on  these  declarations,  would  enfetble 
them  ;  and  to  suppose  them  figurative,  in  such  a  de- 
gree as  not  most  emphatically  to  aflPirm  God's  ever- 
lasting abhorrence  of  sin,  and  his  unchangeable  pur- 
pose to  cast  into  hell  all  who  die  in  their  sins,  is  to 
contradict  them.  The  great  end  for  which  so  many 
terrible  representations  of  God's  indignation  are  pub- 
lished in  his  word,  is  expressed  in  this  sentence  : 
^'  llcar  ye,  and  give  car,  for  the  Lord  hath  spoken,  Be- 


44  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

hold,  I  will  execute  judgment ;  vengeance  is  mine  ; 
I  wiil  repay." 

Though  too  many,  therefore,  fancy  the  Deity  is 
all  mercv,  and,  for  reasons  resj)ecting  their  own  case, 
affect  to  be  shocked  at  the  notion  of  a  God  who  will 
not  let  the  wicked  pass  unpuniL">hed,  yet  He,  who 
cannot  deceive,  or  be  destitute  of  perfect  benevo- 
lence towards  men,  (since  he  was  made  flesh,  and 
dwelt  amongst  us);  He  confirms  all  the  denunciations 
of  wrath  now  placed  before  you.  He  declares  that, 
in  the  last  day,  ail  nations  shall  be  gathered  before  the 
throne  of  his  glory  ;  at  which  most  awful  hour,  in 
the  hearing  of  the  whole  rational  creation,  he  will  say 
to  all  thtm  on  the  left  hand,  i.  e.  to  all  incorrigible 
sinners.  ''  Depart,  ye  cursed,  into  everlasdng  fire, 
prepared  for  ihe  devil  and  his  angels." 

Thus  his  own  inspired  penmen  represent  the  AK 
mighty  as  a  just  God  and  a  Saviour;  overflowing 
in  the  riches  of  his  grace  towards  his  obedient  chil- 
dren, and  just  to  those  who  despise  him,  in  bringing 
upon  them  all  the  curses  written  in  the  book  of  the 
law.  By  this  unchangeable  disposition  towards 
.  both,  he  appears  infinitely  holy  and  reverend. 

But  if  the  character  of  God  was  marked  out  to  us 
only  by  his  own  positive  declarations,  we  should 
(such  is  our  nature)  be  very  faintly  impressed  by 
them.  To  give  his  character  weight  sufficient  to  re- 
gulate our  piactice,  it  must  be  made  still  more  con- 
spicuous, by  tlnngs  already  done.  Facts,  no  more  to 
be  doubted  from  the  authority  which  relates  them, 
than  if  tl  ey  had  been  done  before  our  eyes,  must  as- 
certain the  very  same  perfections  in  God,  which  his 
wo.  d  declares  he  possesses.  Accordingly,  the 
scripture  account  of  his  manner  of  dealing,  both  with 
angels  and  men,  is  a  demonstration,  level  to  every 
capacity,  that  he  is  good,  merciful,  and  holy  ;  aboun- 
diiig  in  love  towards  his  faithful  people,  but  jealous 
to  revenge  his  quarrel  upon  all  liis  enemies. 


eOMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN,  *? 

■» 

SUNDAY  VI. 

CHAP.  VI. 

The  Pei-fections  of  God,  exemplified  by  Facts. 


W'lTH  respect  to  his  goodness,  It  shines  forth 
in  all  the  excellencies  and'  bliss  which  the  angels 
possess,  who  never  left  the  state  in  which  they  vvere 
formed,  and  in  man,  as  he  stood  in  his  original 
righteousness.  The  signatures  of  divine  goodness 
were  so  strongly  impressed  upon  him,  as  to  excite 
envy  in  one  who  had  bi  en  an  angel  himself  before 
the  throne  of  glory.  Adam  was  created  full  of  know- 
ledge, in  perfect  purity  and  happiness,  invested  with 
dominion  over  the  whole  animal  creation,  in  the 
image  of  God.  He  was  not  only  conscious  of  his 
power,  but  maintained  uninterrupted  communion 
with  him.  In  this  state  of  perfection  Adam  was 
made,  possessing  it  for  himself  and  his  whole  pro- 
geny, till  his  own  wilful  and  detestable  revolt  from 
his  Maker  lost  it  all. 

Who  can  believe  this  account  of  man's  original 
happiness,  recorded  in  the  oracles  of  God,  and  not 
admire  his  benevolence?  Who  can  survey  the  riches 
of  Adam's  original  condition,  compared  to  which, 
Solomon,  in  all  his  glory,  was  poor,  mean,  and 
wretched,  and  not  cry  out,  Good  and  gracious  is  the 
Lord,  who  formed  his  immortal  creature,  man,  in 
such  felicity  !  Here  his  goodness  is  found,  in  fact, 
fully  equal  to  every  declaration  of  it  in  his  word. 

And  w  hen,  through  envy  and  malice  of  the  devil, 
operating  upon  our  first  parents,  in  a  manner  too 
mysterious  for  us  to  comprehend,  Adam  revolted 
from  his  Maker,  requiting  all  his. bounty  with  the 
execrable  insult  uf  believing  Satan  a  better  friend  to 


46  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

his  welfare  than  God;  though  the  hideous  act  could 
not  but  draw  innumerable  miseries  alter  it,  still,  in 
these  circumstances,  the  goodness  of  God  shines 
brighter  than  it  did,  even  at  the  first  creation  of  man ; 
and,  where  sin  abounded,  grace  does  much  more 
abound.  For  God  is  pleased  to  revive  our  most 
criminal  and  desponding  parents,  with  a  promise  of 
salvation.  Astonishing  love !  with  a  promise*  of 
sending  an  invincible  Redeemer,  in  our  flesh,  who 
should  come,  not  to  be  adored,  but  defamed  as  con- 
federate with  the  devil;  and  crucifiL^d  as  a  blasphe- 
mer, but  on  his  cross  should  bruibc  Sutan's  head. — 
"  Herein  is  love,  not  that  we  lovtrd  God,  but  that  he 
loved  us,  and  sent  his  Son  to  be  the  propitiation  for 
our  sins."  Did  God  say  of  his  most  idolatrous  peo- 
ple, ''  How  shall  1  give  thee  up,  Ephraim  ?  How  shall 
I  deliver  thee,  Israel?  My  heart  is  turned  within  me, 
mv  repentings  are  kindled  together?"  What  then 
must  be  the  workings  of  his  love  towards  his  ojiiy 
begotten  Son,  when  he  was  delivered  up  for  our  of- 
fences? When  God  seemed  to  divest  himself  of  the 
qualities  of  a  father,  and  act  towards  Christ  as  an  in- 
censed Judge?  "  Herein  God  commendeth  his  love,, 
he  places  it  in  the  highest  point  of  light  in  which 
men  or  angels  can  behold  it,  in  that,  whilst  we  were 
yet  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us." 

Such  amazing  and  irresistible  proofs  of  his  good- 
ness, has  God  been  pleased  to  give  to  the  childi'en  of 
men. 

In  as  palpable  a  manner  he  has  demonstrated  the 
glorious  holiness  of  his  nature.  There  was  once,  we 
read,  war  in  Heaven — Satan  and  his  angels  rose  up 
in  enmity  against  their  Maker.  They  were  called 
stars  of  heaven,  from  the  height  and  splendour  of 
their  state ;  yet,  no  sooner  did  they  sin,  than  they 
were  stripped  bare  of  ever}^  honour,  covered  with 
everlasting  shame,  plunged  into  o.  bottomless  abyss 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN,  41' 

of  woe,  aiid  dii  impassable  gulf  was  fixed  between 
them  and  their  ofi'  nded  Creator.  "'  He  spared  not 
til'"  angels  that  sinned,  but  cast  them  down  to  hell, 
and  delivered  them  into  chains  of  darkness,  to  be 
reserved  unto  judgment." 

This  single  fact  demonstrates,  the  Lord  our  God 
is  holy.  For,  should  a  king,  famed  through  the 
world  for  wisdom  and  mercy,  command  nobles  near- 
est his  throne  to  be  loaded  with  fetters,  and  cast  in- 
to dungeons,  refusing  to  look  on  them  again  with 
fa V  our,  or  hear  one  word  in  mitigation  of  their  doom  ; 
w  ho  would  not  conclude  their  offence  was  an  insuf- 
ferable provocation  ?  We  must  draw  the  same 
conclusion,  when  we  read,  that  the  only  wise  God, 
who  deiighteth  in  mercy,  has  yet,  in  the  greatness 
of  his  displeasure,  cast  down  from  their  thrones, 
where  his  own  hand  had  placed  them,  so  many  shin- 
ing angels,  and  made  them  examples,  suffering  the 
vengeance  of  eternal  fire. 

This  proof  we  cannot  deny,  without  renouncing 
the  Christian  faith.  And  the  next  1  shall  produce, 
we  cannot  doubt,  without  denying  the  evidence  of 
our  senses,  because  we  all  feel  the  execution  of  a 
sentence  denounced  nearly  six  thouscdid  years  ago, 
upon  the  human  race,  for  one  offence.  The  threat- 
einng  was,  that  Adam  should  immediately  sufier 
spiniuai  death,  by  losing  the  image  of  God,  in  which 
hi  was  made  ;  that  after  a  life  spent  in  toil  and  sor- 
row, his  body  should  return  to  the  dust  from  whence 
it  was  taken,  and,  with  natural,  eternal  death,  we 
know  was  connected,  by  the  subsequent  declaration 
oi  scripture,  unless  a  Redeemer  liad  been  given. 
Tiiis,  we  have  no  doubt,  he  esoaped,  whilst  the  sen- 
tence, in  the  two  former  parts  of  it,  is  to  this  hour 
cxtcuted  on  us  all.  For  what  have  we  in  the  place 
oi  Adam's  original  power,  but  weakness  ?  What,  for 
his  divine  light  itnd  knowledge,  but  ignorance?  What 


48  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

in  tlie  room  of  his  peace  and  communion  with  God, 
but  natural  dislike  to  him,  and  distressing  fears 
about  bis  intentions  concerning  us  ?  What,  instead 
of  Adam's  original  purity,  but  a  heart  so  deceitful, 
and  so  desperately  wicked,  that  God  alone  can  know 
it  ?  And  in  the  place  of  an  Eden,  contrived  by  infi- 
nite power  and  wisdom  for  happiness,  what  but  a 
world  of  confusion  and  sin,  a  vaie  of  misery,  a  field 
of  battle? 

If  you  ask,  whence  comes  this  total  reverse  of  cir- 
cumstances,  between  the  first  man  in  innocence,  and 
his  posterity?  He  who  in  justice  ordained  it,  gives 
us  this  awful  account.  By  the  offence  of  one,  judg- 
ment came  upon  all  men  to  condemnati(-n — B\  (^ne 
man's  disobedience,  many  were  made  sinners.  P(3n- 
dcr  this  in  your  heart,  and  you  will  not  be  able  to  re- 
frain from  crying  out,  '*  Holy,  holy,  holy  is  the 
Lord  of  hosts." 

Further,  the  dreadful  execution  of  his  wrath, 
known  in  all  the  world,  puts  out  of  dispute  the  ho- 
liness of  God.  Before  the  death  even  of  all  their 
children,  who  saw  Adam  an  exile  from  Paradise, 
the  fountains  of  the  great  deep  are  broken  up,  and 
the  windows  of  heaven  opened  to  destroy  the  whole 
human  race  then  on  earth,  except  eight  persons. 
And,  lest  this  destruction  should  not  be  acknow- 
ledged as  the  act  of  the  righteous  Judge  of  all,  in 
piniishing  sin,  hear  the  God  of  mercy,  the  Father 
of  the  spirits  of  all  flesh,  addressing  Noah:  "  And 
bthold  I,  even  I,  do  bring  a  flood  of  waters  upon  the 
earth,  to  destroy  all  flesh  wherein  is  the  breath  of 
life  from  under  heaven,  and  every  thing  that  is  in  the 
earth  shall  die. 

There  is  still  one  fact  more,  so  striking  a  demon- 
stration of  holiness  in  God,  as  to  eclipse  the  de- 
strn.ction  of  the  world  by  the  flood  ;  the  fall  of 
Adam,  and  the  ruin  of  apostate   angels.      For  in 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  49 

each  of  these  cases,  the  sufferers  were  first  actual 
rebels  against  God.  But  if  you  look  to  the  cross  of 
Christ,  there  you  will  see  the  beloved  of  the  Father, 
higher  than  the  angels,  set  forth  to  be  a  propiLiation 
for  sin,  through  tailh  in  his  blood,  to  declare  his 
righteousness  for  the  remission  of  sins  that  are  past, 
that  he  might  be  just  (appear  so  in  the  eyes  of  men 
and  angels)  and  yet  the  justifier  of  him  that  belie v- 
€th  in  Jesus,  Rom.  iii.  26. 

We  have  often  appealed  to  the  death  of  Christ, 
and  shall  hereafter,  yet,  we  hope,  without  the  charge 
of  needless  repetition  :  because  this  marvellous  iact, 
considered  in  different  views,  affords  the  strongest 
proof  of  different  perfections  in  God.  At  present  it 
is  urged  in  demonstration  of  his  infinite  hatred  of 
sin.  In  this  light,  it  may  be  well  illustrated  by  a 
remarkable  passage  in  sacred  history.  We  read 
that  the  Moabites,  2  Kings,  ch.  iii,  fled  before  the 
kings  of  Israel  and  Judah,  and,  after  a  great  slaugh- 
ter, were  forced  to  retire  with  their  king  into  their 
city.  Here  finding  himself  reduced  to  the  last  ex. 
tre'mity  by  his  besiegers,  he  made  use  of  an  aston- 
ishing method  to  shew  his  great  indignation  against 
Israel.  For  he  took  his  eldest  son,  the  heir  of  his 
kingdom,  and,  in  the  sight  of  his  enemies,  offered 
him  up  a  burnt- offering  upon  the  wall.  He  obtain- 
ed his  purpose ;  the  kings  of  Israel  and  Judah, 
amazed  at  the  fury  which  urged  him  to  such  a  deed, 
returned  instantly  to  their  own  country. 

This  most  memorable  example,  taken  in  one  point 
of  view,  applies  perfectly  well  to  the  subject  we  are 
upon.  For  the  eternal  Father,  after  using  promises 
and  threatenings,  after  bestowing  mercies  and  exe- 
cuting judgments,  still  seeing  our  sins  reach  up  to 
Heaven,  as  if  they  meant  to  besiege  his  throne,  ex- 
presses infinite  indignation  against  our  rebellion  :  he 
takes  his  only  begotten  Son,  the  heir  of  all  things, 

G 


50  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

and,  in  the  sight  of  heaven  and  earth,  cries  out, 
*'  Awake,  O  sword !  and  smite  my  shepherd,  the 
man  that  is  my  fellow  (my  equal)  saith  the  Lord  of 
hosts."  That,  from  this  fact,  we  might  always  re- 
member the  divine  indignation  kindled  by  our  offen- 
ces, and  be  assured  that  our  God  will  be  a  consum- 
ing fire  to  sinners,  who  plead  not  this  oblation  of 
Christ  on  the  cross,  to  obtain  pardon  and  victory 
over  sin. 

We  produced,  in  the  last  chapter,  many  decla- 
rations of  the  distinguishing  love  exercised  by  the 
Almighty  towards  each  individual  who  walks  before 
him  humbly.  The  history  of  providence  attests  this. 
Enoch,  the  seventh  from  Adam,  because  uncoii- 
querably  attached  to  the  truth  and  authority  oi'  his 
Maker,  amidst  the  abounding  impieties  of  his  kin- 
dred, is  taken  from  them  in  a  way,  which  at  once 
immortalizes  his  own  name,  and  proclaims  the  love 
which  God  bears  to  all  his  saints.  Before  this  illus- 
trious fact  could  be  forgotten,  Noah,  like  the  ark, 
which  preserved  him  and  his  family,  is  lifted  up  to 
the  notice  of  the  whole  world,  as  an  everlasting  me- 
morial, that,  in  the  most  desolating  judgments,  the 
care  of  each  individual  saint  is  with  the  Most  High. 
In  the  case  of  righteous  Lot,  the  same  peculiar  love 
is  again  manifested;  and  two  assertions  are  made 
upon  this  occasion,  expressing  the  tenderest  regard 
to  his  faithful  servants.  Sodom  itself,  it  is  said, 
should  have  been  spared  for  the  sake  of  ten  righ- 
teous persons,  had  only  so  small  a  number  been 
found  within  its  walls.  We  are  also  assured,  that, 
till  Lot  was  escaped  and  safe,  vengeance  could  not 
be  poured  out  on  that  detested  city.  In  the  same 
animating  and  comfortable  view,  we  are  to  ponder 
on  the  history  of  Joseph  ;  the  peculiar  favour  Joshua 
the  son  of  Nun,  and  Caleb  the  son  of  Jephunneh, 
found  with  the  Lord,  and  thev  onlv  of  all  Israel, 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN,  5t 

who  came  out  of  E^ypt.  To  the  same  purpose  we 
aie  to  consider  David's  astni.isliing  preservation,  in 
spite  of  all  the  bioody-mindtd  Sciul  could  do  ;  Lii- 
jiih's  miraculous  ascension  into  Heaven  ;  tlie  thrte 
Hebrew  youths  walking  in  the  midst  of  a  fiery 
furnace;  and  Daniel's  inviolable  safetv  in  the  den 
with  ravenous  hunger- bitten  lions.  All  these  are 
witnesses  chosen  ot  God,  and  established  by  mira- 
cles  wrought  in  their  favour,  as  precedents  to  assure 
every  dear  obedient  child  of  God,  who  in  a  measure 
copies  the  pattern  they  set  before  him,  that  his  self, 
no  less  than  they  were,  is  the  objects  of  God's  spe- 
cial care  and  love.  And  though  we  see  not  now 
the  course  of  nature  over- ruled  for  the  deliverance 
of  the  faithful,  still  the  comprehensive  promise  of 
the  unchangeable  Jehovah  abideth  sure  ;  "He  know- 
eth  them  that  are  his,  and  will  m.ake  all  things 
work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  him,"  and 
are  called  according  to  his  purpose. 

We  read  also  in  scripture  a  demonstration,  in  facts, 
of  God's  holiness.  Many  awful  instances  of  immedi- 
ate vengeance,  executed  on  presumptuous  oifenders, 
are  recorded  in  his  oracles.  Scarcely  can  you  name 
one  sin,  which  has  not  been  singled  out  as  the  object 
of  his  hot  displeasure.  Ham  mocking  his  excellent 
father,  betrayed  for  once  into  excessive  drinking,  is 
cursed ;  Onan,  for  self- pollution,  slain  on  the  spot ; 
Lot's  wife,  full  of  worldly  cares,  and  lusting  after 
wealth,  is  turned  into  a  pillar  of  salt,  where  she  turn- 
ed back  in  her  heart  to  Sodom.  Envy  and  aspiring 
pride  are  punished  with  horrible  destruction  in 
Korah,  Dathan,  and  Abiram.  In  Achan'sfate,  and 
Gehazi's  leprosy,  we  see  how  God  abhorreth  the 
covetous.  Behold,  thou  vile  advocate  for  fornica- 
tion, the  javelin  of  Phineas  thrust  through  Zimri  and 
Coshi  his  paramour ;  an  act  of  justice  so  grateful  to 
God,  as  to  be  rewarded  with  highest  honour  in  the 


/Kf^  ^'ijd^' 


63  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

family  of  Phineas  for  many  generations.  Give  up 
thv  favourite  conceit,  that  whoremongers  God  will 
not  judge  ;  for,  behold,  three  and  twenty  thousand 
are  cut  off  by  him,  for  this  sin,  in  one  day.  Stand 
astonished  at  the  divine  patience  towards  thee,  thou 
lying  tongue,  when  thou  readest  how  Ananias  and 
Sapphira  [)erished  with  the  breath  of  falsehood  on 
their  lips  !  Ponder  well  thy  fellow  criminals'  doom, 
thou  despiser  of  Jesus,  and  see  what  infernal  malice 
actuates  thy  heart,  which  seeks  to  pervert  the  right 
ways  of  the  truth,  when  Elymas,  the  sorcerer,  is  set 
before  thee  as  an  enemy  to  all  goodness,  a  child  of 
the  Devil,  and  smitten  with  blindness,  by  the  act  of 
God,  for  his  infidelity.  Understand,  from  the  igno- 
minious death  of  Herod,  that  self-exaltation  is  an 
abomination  to  the  Lord  ;  for,  behold,  the  royal  dei- 
fied orator,  after  receiving,  as  his  due,  the  shout  of 
blasphemous  applause,  is  immediately  stricken  by 
the  angel  of  the  Lord,  ''  because  he  gave  not  God 
the  glory  ;  and  he  was  eaten  of  worms,  and  gave  up 
the  ghost." 

Ail  tliese  instances,  and  many  more  recited  in  holy 
writ,  undeniably  prove,  that  w^herever  envy  or  ma- 
lice, covetousness  or  pride,  profaneness,  impurity, 
or  any  temper  contrary  to  God's  law  prevails,  there 
the  wrath  of  God  abideth,  and  must  abide,  till  it  be 
done  away. 

Such,  in  his  natural  and  moral  perfections,  in  his 
goveiiinicnt  and  providence  towards  his  whole  ra- 
tional creation,  is  the  true  God.  And  that  there  is 
oniv  one  God,  in  all,  and  through  all,  and  over  all, 
the  scripture  most  plainly  affirms.  ''  I.  even  I,  am 
he,  and  there  is  no  God  with  me.  Before  me  there 
was  no  God  formed,  neither  shall  there  be  after  me. 
I  am  the  first,  and  1  am  the  last,  and  beside  me  there 
is  no  God."  Yet  the  sam.e  scripture,  with  equal 
plainness  of  e:Jipre8sion,  teaches  us,  tliat  in  this  uni.' 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  53 

ty,  the  Son  and  Spirit  are  comprehended,  in  glory- 
equal,  in  majesty  co-eternal,  with  the  Father.  With- 
out controversy,  great  is  this  mystery  of  godliness ; 
yet  it  must  be  received,  because  divine  perfections, 
which  cannot  consist  with  the  condition  of  creatures, 
being  the  essential  glory  of  God  above  them  all,  we 
are  assured,  the  Son  and  the  Spirit  possess.  Eter- 
nity, omnipresence,  infinite  knowledge,  and  almigh- 
ty power  belong  to  them  ;  therefore,  together  with 
the  Father,  are  they  to  be  worshipped  and  glorified. 
God  the  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  is  the  God  of  the 
Christian  church.  Jews  and  Turks  openly  revile 
this  mystery  as  execrable  blasphemy  ;  and  baptized 
apostates,  not  able  to  brook  implicit  submission  to 
the  oracles  of  God,  heartily  join  with  them.  But 
the  church  universal  (i.  e.  all  the  assemblies  of 
Christ's  people)  unanimously  acquiescing  in  the 
word  of  God,  and  perfectly  satisfied  with  its  naked 
declaration,  dedicate  their  children  in  baptism  to  the 
ever-blessed  Trinity,  and  continually  conclude  their 
public  worship  with  prayer  to  partake  of  the  distinct 
blessings  each  of  these  sacred  three  impart,  entreat- 
ing that  the  love  of  God  the  Father,  the  grace  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  communion  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  may  be  with  us  all. 

Examine,  therefore,  and  prove  yourself,  whether 
your  idea  of  God  be  faithfully  copied  from  the  scrip- 
ture ?  Whether  you  do  not  remain  in  gross  and 
fatal  ignorance  of  his  real  character,  notwithstanding 
the  complete  manner  in  which  he  has  revealed  him- 
self in  his  own  word  ?  Take  it  by  no  means  for 
granted,  that  you  are  in  reality  what  you  profess,  a 
Christian,  knowing  God.  For  thousands  thus  flat- 
ter themselves,  whilst  their  ideas  of  him  are  detesta- 
ble in  his  sight.  Search,  therefore,  the  matter  to 
the  bottom,  and  see  whether  you  heartily  acknow- 
ledge God  is  what  he  declares  himself  to  be,  in  those 


54  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

instances,  where  pride  and  love  of  sin  are  most  apt 
to  prejudice  our  minds  against  the  real  character  of 
our  Maker. 

For  instance,  do  you  know,  he  bears  that  perfect 
abhorrence  to  all  iniquity,  which  the  Bible  always 
affirms  he  does  ?  Are  you  established  in  the  truth, 
that  God  is  in  no  degree  cruel  to  the  work  of  his 
hands,  though  he  doom  every  soul  dying  in  sin  to 
feel  for  ever  the  weight  of  his  indignation  ?  Do  you 
confess  from  the  heart,  that  the  sanctions  of  his  gov- 
ernment are  full  of  glory,  though  this  be  the  conse- 
quence, that,  to  every  hypocrite  and  rebel,  our  God 
is  a  consuming  fire. 

Again,  examine  whether  you  are  firmly  persuaded 
that  the  God  whom  you  worship  is  a  sun  and  a 
shield  to  every  one  who  belie veth  in  Jesus?  Whe- 
ther you  are  sure  that  the  high  and  lofty  One,  who 
inhabiteth  eternity,  does  humble  himself  to  watch 
incessantly  over  his  faithful  people  for  good,  as 
a  wise  and  tender  father  doth  over  the  son  that 
serveth  him  ?  Whether  you  believe  that  God  doth 
indeed  dwell  with  men,  giving  to  every  individual 
who  lives  according  to  his  will,  light  and  life,  peace 
and  consolation,  strength  and  power,  which  none 
beside  on  earth  possess  ?  Finally  try  yourself,  whe- 
ther you  have  affecting  views  of  the  excellency  of 
God,  manifested  in  the  person  and  office  of  the 
Redeemer,  and  in  the  influences  of  the  spirit,  by 
which  he  holds  communion  with  the  church  of 
Christ. 

From  such  enquiries,  yourknowledge  or  ignorance 
of  the  God  described  in  the  Bible  will  be  made  evi- 
dent :  because  it  is  in  these  important  points  our 
Maker  has  revealed  himself  and  his  conduct,  which 
the  world  by  wisdom  never  could  have  discovered. 
And  just  in  the  same  proportion  as  God's  own  re- 
presentation of  his  self,  and  his  designs  is  received 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  »3 

ivith  steadfast  faith,  are  you  really  enriched  with  di- 
vine knowledge.  A  knowledge  of  inestimable  value, 
because  alone  able  to  heal  man's  corrupted  mind, 
to  keep  it  firm  to  duty  in  the  midst  of  trials ;  a 
knowledge  pronounced  by  Christ  to  be  eternal  life. 


A  PRAYER, 

For  the  Knowledge  of  God. 

COMMAND,  O  blessed  God,  we  humbly 
beseech  thee,  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  thy  glory 
to  ^hine  into  our  hearts.  Teach  us  to  conceive  of 
thy  infinite  majesty  aright.  May  we  know  that  thou 
hast  made  all  things  for  thyself ;  that  thou  upholdeth 
all  things,  giving  life,  health,  strength  and  doing 
whatever  thou  pleasest  in  the  armies  of  Heaven,  and 
amongst  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth.  Teach  us 
to  understand,  that  from  the  beginning,  all  thy 
works  in  all  places  of  thy  dominion,  are  known 
unto  thee  ;  that  our  most  secret  purposes,  desires, 
and  thoughts  are  more  open  to  thy  all-seeing  eye, 
than  to  the  notice  even  of  our  own  minds.  Con- 
scious of  our  ignorance  and  inability  to  conceive, 
what  is  fit  for  thee  to  teach,  command,  or  do,  give 
us  to  bow  with  lowest  reverence  before  everv  revela- 
tion  of  thy  will,  and  every  appointment  of  thy  pro- 
vidence. 

O  Lord  I  open  our  eyes,  that  we  may  see  all  thy 
goodness,  in  the  blessings  of  health  and  strength,  of 
food,  raiment,  and  fruitful  seasons,  which  descend 
upon  the  just  and  the  unjust.  Above  all,  grant  us, 
we  beseech  thee,  the  light  of  faith  to  comprehend,  with 
alt  saints,  the  height  and  depth,  the  breadth  and 
length  of  thy  love  in  Christ  Jesus.  And  lest  our 
wicked  hearts  should  abuse  the  riches  of  thy  grace, 


.^6  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

fill  us  with  conceptions  of  thy  glorious  holiness  ;  that 
thou  art  not  to  be  approached  but  through  the  me- 
diation of  thy  Son,  nor  wilt  vouchsafe  remission  of 
•sins  but  through  his  blood. 

Enlighten  the  eyes  of  our  understanduig,  to  per- 
ceive how  good  and  gracious  thou  art  to  ah  who  love 
thy  name,  ever  caring  for  them  ;  watering  the  m  t  very- 
moment,  and  keeping  them  by  night  and  day,  lest 
any  hurt  them.  We  earnestly  beg  this  knowledge 
of  thy  nature,  and  thy  rich  mercies,  that  we  ma\  glo- 
rify thee  as  God,  put  our  trust  in  thee  without  wa- 
vering, serve  thee  diligently  with  great  delight,  and 
never  wilfully  offend  thee. 

We  ask  these  blessings  in  entire  dependence  upon 
our  faithful  and  merciful  high-priest,  Jesus  Christ, 
who  come  into  the  world  to  manifest  thy  Uiime. 
To  him,  with  thyself,  and  the  eternal  Spirit,  be  all 
honour  and  glory,  world  without  end.     Amen. 


SUNDAY  VII. 

CHAP.  VII. 
The  natural  Condition  of  Man  respecting  God. 

W  E  can  make  no  progress  in  any  science,  till  wc 
understand  its  first  principles.  In  religion  it  is  the 
same,  that  science,  in  which  all  are  deeply  interested. 
Here  the  ground-work  must  be  laid  in  knowledge 
of  our  own  character,  as  it  regards  the  great  end  of 
duty,  and  the  great  object  of  religion. 

With  respect  to  God,  then,  experience  and  scrip- 
ture attest,  that  man  is  deplorably  blind,  depraved, 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  sf 

and  consequently  guilty.  The  blindness  of  man 
proves  itself  by  his  fancying  the  excellencies  of  body, 
mind,  or  estate  which  he  possesses,  his  own. 
Hence,  though  in  words  he  acknowledges  an  intel- 
ligent Creator,  he  perceives  not  the  consequence 
nacessarily  flowing  from  this  truth,  to  the  great 
glory  of  his  name,  that  of  him  and  through  him  are 
all  things.  Hence  the  beautiful  are  intoxicated  with 
admiration  of  their  own  pleasing  form  ;  the  rich 
despise  the  poor  ;  men  distinguished  by  acquired 
knowledge,  or  superior  genius,  look  down  with 
haughty  airs  on  the  ignorant  vulgar ;  and  even  the 
spiritual  man  is  too  apt  to  exalt  himself,  viewing  the 
gifts  he  has  received. 

The  abundant  prevalence  of  these  disorders  loudly 
proclaims  the  blindness  of  man's  mind  to  that  fun- 
damental truth,  that  no  one  can  receive  "  any  thing, 
except  it  be  given  him  from  above  :"  and  that  with 
respect  to  every  advantage  which  we  value,  God 
maketh  men  to  differ.  It  is  a  continual  labour,  even 
with  the  aid  of  supernatural  light,  to  get  deliverancQ 
from  the  power  of  this  blindness.  And  some  symp- 
toms of  it  may  be  found  (where  you  would  least 
suspect)  in  the  excellent  of  the  earth. 

Man's  natural  blindness  with  respect  to  God  is 
evident  also  from  the  judgment  he  makes  on  the  life 
of  faith,  and  that  of  self-indulgence.  Compare  them 
together,  you  would  not  think  it  possible  to  make  a 
wrong  choice.  For  what  is  a  life  of  uniform  obedi- 
ence to  God,  through  faith  in  Christ  ?  It  is  allegiance 
to  the  wisest  of  kings,  and  a  due  testimony  of  filial 
duty  to  the  best  of  fathers  ;  it  is  freedom  to  the  fet- 
tered soul,  and  victory  over  affections,  base  as  they 
are  hurtful.  It  is  a  peaceful  state  of  mind  which  af- 
fords no  ground  for  accusaiions  of  having  done  inju- 
ry to  any  creature.  It  makes  man  a  blessing  to  all  in 
connexion  with  him,  effectually  restraining  even  from 

H 


^  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

the  intention  of  doing  wrong.  In  prosperity  it  keeps 
the  mind  humble  ;  in  adversity  calm  and  patient ; 
nor  can  the  stroke  of  death  dismay,  for  its  hope  is 
full  of  immortality. 

Compare,  with  this  life  of  faith,  a  life  of  self-indul- 
getice.  How  depraved,  how  hideous  !  It  is  a  mon- 
strous compound  of  ignorance,  contradicting  in- 
finite wisdom  ;  of  contempt  in  a  vile  worm  for  infin- 
ite majesty  ;  of  ingratitude  for  rich  bounty  ;  of  re- 
bellion aiming  its  blow  against  the  bowels  of  sove- 
reign mercy.  A  life  of  self-indulgence  makes  a  man 
afraid  to  look  into  himself  infectious  and  full  of  mis- 
chief to  others,  ar.d  dismayed  at  the  thought  of  a 
judgment  to  come.  In  e\ery  view,  it  is  without 
excuse,  and  altogether  odious. 

Can  there  be  any  light  then  remaining  in  the  mind 
of  man,  if  a  life  of  faith  is  not  alwavs  without  hesita- 
tion  infinitely  preferred  to  a  life  of  self-indulgence? 
For  beauty  in  its  highest  bloom  does  not,  in  the  eye 
of  flesh,  so  evidently  excel  pale  loathsome  disease, 
as  a  life  of  faithful  obedience  surpasses,  in  reason's 
C}  e,  one  of  self- gratification. 

Yet,  to  the  shame  of  the  human  race,  fact  and  ex- 
perience daily  prove,  the  choice  is  obstinately  fixed 
on  what  deserves  contempt,  and  preference  given 
where  detestation  is  due.  Innumerable  are  the  slan- 
ders with  which  blind  man  asperses  a  life  of  uniform 
obedience  to  God  ;  and  loud  his  complaints  against 
it.  He  industriously  employs  all  his  wit  to  make 
religion  appear  irksome  ;  and  opposition  to  it 
guiltless. 

In  vain  do  all  the  children  of  obedience  lift  up 
their  voice  together,  and  cry,  *'  Great  is  the  peace 
which  they  have,  who  keep  thy  law,  and  nothing 
shall  offend  them."  In  vain  does  Jehovah  promise 
his  presence,  and  his  spirit ;  his  pardon,  pou  er, 
peace,  and  salvation  to  the  faithful  and  obedient.  Men 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  59 

naturally  perceive  no  value  in  these  things,  worthy 
to  be  weighed  against  the  pleasures  they  find  in  self- 
will  and  transgression. 

Farther,  did  not  experience  fully  prove,  that  per- 
petual disgust  and  disappointment  harass  us,  whilst 
we  are  intent  to  indulge  ourselves,  it  might  be  no 
decisive  proof  of  man's  blindness,  to  seek  for  happi- 
ness  in  what  the  world  can  give  or  promise,  to  the 
neglect  of  God.  Or  were  we,  like  the  Heathens,  in- 
capable of  knowing  what  notice  he  would  humble 
himself  to  take  of  us  his  poor  creatures,  on  eithtr 
of  these  suppositions,  it  would  be  no  evidence  of 
blindness  in  man,  to  reject  as  imaginary,  the  pros- 
pect ot  finding  happiness  in  the  knowledge  of  God, 
and  lively  consciousness  of  his  favour.  For  we 
might  then  say,  it  was  the  height  of  arrogance  to  im- 
agine there  could  be  intimate  friendship  between  him 
and  man. 

On  the  contrary,  when  the  infallible  word  of  God 
reveals  his  adorable  excellency,  and  assures  us  at  the 
same  time  of  the  high  place  man  holds  in  his  thoughts, 
and  that  his  heart  is  open  to  embrace  him,  so  soon  as 
he  desires  deliverance  from  sin,  and  to  treat  him 
with  all  the  endearments  a  son  can  receive  from  the 
most  kind  father  ;  in  such  a  case,  man  must  be  de- 
plorably blind,  if  he  does  not  listen  with  delight  to 
these  declarations  ;  trust  in  them  with  all  confidence, 
and  accept  them  as  his  chief  happiness  and  glory. 
Yet,  alas  !  we  are  with  great  difficulty  brought  to 
believe,  that  God  does  indeed  dwell  with  man  ;  and 
with  greater  to  desire  communion  with  him.  After 
a  thousa  id  disappointments  from  the  world,  still, 
with  boundless  credulity,  we  depend  upon  every  de- 
lusion  for  our  joy.  The  meanest  trifle,  the  most 
sordid  pursuit,  every  thing  except  the  knowledge 
and  love  of  God,  we  are  blind  enough  to  fancy  worthy 
our  affection,  and  our  pains  to  possess  it. 


450  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN, 

In  this  matter  of  prime  influence  on  life,  gross 
darkness  naturally  covers  every  mind.  And  whilst 
buzzing  insects  and  crawling  worms  unerringly  per- 
ceive what  is  most  beneficial  for  them,  constantly 
pursue  and  constantly  adhere  to  it,  man  naturally 
turns  aside  from  the  fountain  of  all  good,  and  dares 
conclude  no  profit  is  to  be  found  in  the  knowledge 
and  love  of  hrni.  Even  men  of  the  finest  abilities  and 
penetration  in  the  things  of  sense,  are  in  this  point 
miserably  blind.  Blind  are  rich  and  poor,  young 
and  old,  priest  and  people,  till  they  receive  from 
above  the  gift  of  a  right  judgment. 

Scripture  strongly  asserts  this  blindness  natural  to 
us  all.  "  Man  is  born  like  a  wild  ass's  colt,"  Job 
xi.  12,  not  only  destitute  of  heavenly  wisdom,  but 
stupid  to  apprehend,  and  averse  to  receive  it.  Ob- 
serve how  keenly  the  comparison  is  pointed,  like  the 
ass  an  animal  remarkable  for  its  stupidity  to  a  pro- 
verb ;  like  the  ass's  colt,  which  must  be  of  course 
more  egregiously  stupid  than  its  dam ;  like  the  xvild 
ass's  colt,  which  is  not  only  blockish,  but  refractory; 
neither  by  nature  possessing  valuable  qualities,  nor 
capable  of  receiving  them  through  discipline. 

The  natural  blindness  of  the  human  mind  is  also 
necessarily  implied  in  those  many  assertions,  which 
ascribe  all  discernment  of  the  Gospel,  to  the  in- 
fluence of  the  Holy  Ghost,  called  the  Spirit  of  Truth, 
because  his  office  is  to  lead  us  into  all  the  truth.  Nay, 
decisive  on  this  point,  was  there  no  other  testimony, 
is  that  remarkable  one,  "  The  natural  man  receiveth 
not  the  things  of  the  spirit  of  God,  for  they  are  fool- 
ishness unto  him,  neither  can  he  know  them  because 
they  are  spiritually  discerned,"  1  Cor.  ii.  14. 

Equal  to  man's  blindness  respecting  God,  is  the 
depravity  of  his  temper.  This  discovers  itself  irr 
forgetting  his  Maker,  though  the  whole  creation 
loudly  attests  his  excellency  and  presence.     Man 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  ♦! 

can  be  witness  to  the  whole  host  of  Heaven  moving 
in  orderly  array  around  him ;  he  can  enjoy  and  feast 
upon  the  bounties  of  his  God  ;  stand  encircled  with 
his  mercies,  and  be  preserved  from  all  dangers  by 
his  care ;  yet  never  so  much  as  once  advert  to  the 
infinitely  wise  and  gracious  hand,  from  which  he  re- 
ceives his  all.  He  can  shut  God  out  of  the  govern- 
ment of  his  own  world,  because  invisible;  and  ascribe 
to  the  mere  ignorant  undesigning  instruments,  which 
subserve  the  divine  will,  the  honour  of  the  most 
beneficial  effects.  So  that  when  God  would  impress 
a  nation  with  awe  of  his  absolute  dominion  over  the 
affairs  of  men,  he  sends  forth  his  judgments  on  the 
earth,  which,  like  a  glaring  comet  held  up  in  the  air, 
by  its  alarming  appearance,  may  lead  up  the  thoughts 
©f  men  to  their  Maker. 

With  respect  to  individuals,  there  is  no  recover- 
ing any  m:in  from  that  deep  forgetfulness  of  God  in 
which  we  naturally  lie,  v.ithout  changing  his  joy 
into  heaviness,  bis  prosperity  into  trouble.  A  cham- 
feer  of  sickness,  or  dread  of  death,  the  king  of  ter- 
rors, must  make  him  know  himself  to  be  but  man. 
Pain  must  scourge  him,  or  fearful  apprehensions  of 
hell  awaken  the  sleeper  to  own  his  dependence  upon 
God.  Nay,  after  these  severe  monitors  have  faith- 
fully performed  their  office,  and  put  man  in  remem- 
brance of  his  Creator,  the  remembrance  of  him  passes 
away  (like  that  of  a  guest  which  tarries  but  a  daj ), 
though  all  nature  exhibits  him  to  the  senses. 

''Though  the  sun,  in  transcendent  brightness, 
•omes  forth  from  his  chamber  every  morning  to  pro- 
claim his  Maker's  glory  ;  though  the  moon  and  stars, 
which  govern  the  night,  add  their  united  evidence 
to  magnify  their  Creator  to  a  gazing,  but  unaffected 
world ;  though  the  air  whisper  his  clemency  in  the 
balmy  refreshing  gale ;  though  the  roaring  winds 
smd  rending  storms  sound  forth  his  majesty,  yet  all 


62  GOlVrPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAK* 

addresses  fail ;  man  refuseth  to  hear.  Each  flower 
arrayed  in  beauty,  or  breathing  perfume,  courts  our 
affections  for  its  infinitely  amiable  Author ;  not  a 
bird  that  warbles,  or  a  brook  that  murmurs,  but 
invites  our  praise,  or  chides  our  ingratitude.  AH 
the  variety  of  fruits  deposit  their  attestation  on  our 
palates,  yet  seldom  awaken  our  hearts ;  they  give  us 
a  proof  of  the  divine  benignity,  as  undeniable  as  it 
is  pleasing,  and  too  often  ineffectual.  In  short,  the 
whole  creation  is  a  kind  of  magnificent  embassy  from 
its  almighty  Lord,  deputed  to  proclaim  his  excel- 
lencies, and  demand  our  homage."  Yet  man,  so 
strong  is  the  depravity  of  his  mind,  disregards  the 
former,  consequently  must  withhold  the  latter. 

It  may  be  said,  these  instances  of  the  power,  wis- 
dom, and  goodness  of  God  are  silent ;  therefore  they 
fail  to  engage  attention.  But,  alas  !  man's  forget- 
fulness  of  his  Maker  is  stubborn  enough  to  with- 
stand much  louder  calls.  Behold  the  messengers  of 
the  Lord,  with  heaven -kindled  love  in  their  heai  ts, 
and  fire  in  their  eyes,  address  him.  They  plead  the 
cause  of  God  and  truth,  making  their  earnest  appeal 
to  man's  reason  and  experience.  They  set  the  Father 
of  the  spirits  of  all  flesh  before  his  mind,  in  the  su- 
preme glory  of  his  character,  and  the  overflovving 
riches  of  his  grace.  Yet  the  impression  made  abides 
no  longer  than  till  the  first  earthly  object  occurs. 
The  merest  trifle  can  scatter  every  idea  of  God  from 
his  corrupted  memory,  as  wind  scatters  the  chaff'. 

Nay,  when  that  incorruptible  word,  which  breathes 
the  majesty  of  him  who  inspired  it,  is  read  by  his 
ministers,  man,  till  renewed  by  grace,  betrays  a 
fiagiant  insensibility  towards  God  in  his  whole  de- 
portment. The  sons  of  business  are  in  idea  buying, 
selling,  and  getting  gain  in  his  house,  as  at  the  ex- 
change or  market ;  the  eye  of  lewdness  ceases  not 
to  gratify  itself  in  the  holy   assembly.     Youthful 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  .fiS 

curiosity  roves  from  object  to  object,  as  prompted 
by  pride  of  birth,  beauty,  or  apparel.  And,  amidst 
a  multitude  of  professed  worshippers,  only  the  few 
happily  recovered  from  natural  forgetfulness  of  their 
Maker,  worship  him  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 

Weigh  this  fact,  every  where  falling  under  notice, 
and  you  must  conclude  from  it,  that  the  God  hi 
whose  hands  is  all  our  life  and  happiness,  we  over- 
look more  than  the  smaller  matter  relative  to  our 
temporal  interest ;  and  forget  much  more  than  any 
person  on  whom  we  have  the  least  dependence. 


SUNDAY  VIIL 

CHAP.  VIIL 
On  the  Depravity  of  Man. 

We  have  found  it  is  the  practice  of  the  humau 
race,  till  renewed,  to  live  in  forgetfulness  of  God. 
But  must  not  this  be  owing  to  contempt  of  his  ex- 
cellency and  majesty?  Are  we  wont  to  be  obsti- 
nately inattentive  to  our  friends,  whilst  any  degree 
of  veneration  remains  for  them  ?  When  the  lord  of 
a  great  household  is  absent  from  his  family,  and  by 
consequence  invisible  to  his  servants,  do  they  lose 
the  remembrance  of  his  authority,  before  they  be- 
come profligate  ?  Or,  when  children  are  separated 
fiom  worthy  parents  the  distance  of  whole  king- 
doms, can  they  forget  their  relation  and  obligations 
till  thev  are  become  utterly  degenerate  ?  If  we  trace, 
therefore,  man's  forgetfulness  of  God  up  to  its  source, 
we  shall  be  convinced  he  despises  the  Lord  God  om- 


6i  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAK. 

nipotent.  In  every  Christian  country,  the  faint  re  > 
monstrances  which  reason  makes  against  sin  are 
mightily  enforced  by  scripture  ;  and  the  nc»tion  that 
the  infinite  grandeur  of  God  will  not  suffer  him  to 
pay  regard  to  our  conduct,  is  confuted  b\  the  whole 
history  of  his  providence,  and  by  undeniable  facts. 
No  earthly  potentate  ever  can  shew  himself  attentive 
in  such  a  degree  to  the  manners  of  his  subjects,  or 
jealous  of  the  honour  of  his  laws,  as  the  King  eter- 
nal has  done  in  the  most  awful  ways.  Who  among 
the  princes  of  the  earth  has  ever  so  fully  enacted  pro- 
hibitions against  all  evil,  or  so  strictly  enjoined  tlie 
practice  of  all  righteousness,  as  the  Judge  eternal  ? 
Who  has  added  penalties  to  deter  from  presumptu- 
ous offences,  worthy  to  be  named  with  everlasting 
burnings  ?  In  what  nation  are  such  rich  preferments 
and  honours  insured  to  loyalty  and  obedience,  as  in  the 
kingdom  of  our  God  ?  or,  among  earthly  monarchs, 
who  has  been  found  so  terrible  to  avenge  his  quarrel, 
as  He  in  his  righteous  judgments,  which  have  beea 
executed  upon  sinners  ? 

To  despise,  therefore,  this  great,  and  terrible,  and 
excellent  God,  judging  by  the  universal  sense  of 
mankind,  is  an  instance  of  desperate  depravity.  For 
to  despise  a  superior,  is  a  greater  offence,  none  will 
deny,  than  if  he  were  our  equal ;  and  an  affront  to  a 
crowned  head  will  be  deemed  an  insult  much  bevond 
the  same  offence  against  a  private  man ;  because,  as 
all  honour  bears  a  value  according  to  his  degree  who 
confers  it,  so  dishonour  is  measured  by  his  character 
"who  receives  it.  To  despise  God,  is  an  offence, 
therefore,  without  a  figure,  infinite.  For  almighty 
power,  in  essential  union  with  perfect  wisdom,  jus- 
tice, and  mercy,  mrlke  up  the  name  of  God,  and  de- 
mand the  heart-felt  adoration  of  all  his  reasonable 
creatures.  Even  to  doubt  whether  such  adoration 
be  due  to  him,  argues  profligate  stupidity  ;    but  to 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  '65 

act  as  if  he  were  unworthy  of  our  fear  or  love,  is 
flagitious  wickedness. 

Yet  thus  to  act  is  the  natural  temper  of  mankind. 
Wherever  you  turn  your  eyes,  you  may  see  it  in  a 
strong  light.  Consider  the  vast  multitude  who  live 
in  the  open  breach  of  one  or  other  of  God's  com- 
mandments. Are  they  doing  so,  because  ignorant 
that  their  sin  is  forbidden  ?  It  cannot  be  affirmed. 
Profane  swearers  know  what  the  third  command- 
ment requires,  and  the  Lawgiver  who  ordained  it. 
The  mighty  to  drink  strong  wine,  and  those  who 
feast  and  pamper  their  bodies,  know  who  calls  upon 
them  to  be  temperate,  and  denounces  woes  upon  all 
whose  god  is  their  belly.  The  lewd  are  no  strangers 
to  their  doom ;  whoremongers  and  adulterers  God 
will  judge  :  nor  fraudulent  tradesmen  to  that  solemn 
interrogation.  Know  ye  not  that  the  unrighteous 
shall  not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God  ? 

No  declarations  can  be  more  plain  or  peremptory, 
yet  iniquity  has  in  all  ages  and  places  abounded* 
Offenders  in  each  of  the  above  named  classes,  though 
warned,  entreated,  importuned,  adjured  in  the  name 
of  God,  not  only  refuse  to  hearken,  but  cry  out. 
There  shall  no  harm  happen  unto  us.  By  this  con- 
duct, man  foams  out  his  shame,  proving  that  when 
he  can  neither  plead  ignorance,  or  forgetfulness,  he 
vAW  dare  to  treat  the  laws  of  his  Maker,  as  if  he 
thought  them,  in  some  instances,  the  wild  dictates 
of  passion,  the  impositions  of  a  tyrant,  or  the  in- 
junctions of  a  fool.  He  will  dare  to  treat  his  law, 
as  if,  in  some  instances,  respecting  his  own  case, 
it  was  weak  in  its  intention,  envious  in  its  restraints, 
needless  to  be  observed,  and  nothing  to  be  dreaded 
from  trampling  it  under  foot. 

•  It  is  in  vain  for  man  to  reply,  whilst  a  wailful  trans- 
gressor, that  far  be  it  from  him  to  despise  God,  he 
means  only  to  please  himself  in  his  sin;  for  m  a 


66  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

Christian  country,  where  the  law  of  God  is  in  every 
ont's  hand,  we  cannot  possibly  do  the  one,  without 
being  guilty  of  the  other  also.  Nor  can  a  proud  re- 
bellious spirit  more  strongly  express  contempt  of 
God's  government,  than  by  concluding  it  his  own 
interest  to  walk  contrary  to  it ;  and  when  doing  so., 
despise  his  wrath,  revealed  in  the  most  solemn  manner 
against  alltheunrighteousnessandungodlinessof  man. 

But  in  whatever  light  man  himself  may  regard  the 
practice  of  sin,  it  is  beyond  dispute  God  will  punish 
it  as  inexcusable  contempt  of  his  authority  ;  for  he 
represents  himself  on  this  very  account  inexorable 
to  the  cries  of  binners,  when  they  are  appalled  at  the 
miseries  coming  upon  them.  Because  1  have  called^ 
by  my  law,  ministers,  and  people,  upon  the  diso- 
bedient, and  ye  refused ;  and  when,  as  a  man  ve- 
hemently desirous  to  be  regarded,  ''  I  have  stretched 
out  my  hand,  and  no  man  regarded.  But  ye  have 
set  at  nought  all  my  counsel,  and  would  none  of  my 
reproof:  1  also  will  laugh  at  your  calamity,  and  I 
will  mock  when  your  fear  cometh.  When  your 
fear  cometh  as  desolation,  and  your  destruction 
cometh  as  a  whirlwind,  when  distress  and  anguish 
come  upon  you,"  Prov.  i.  24,  27.  In  this  alarming 
passage,  observe,  the  Almighty  expresses  the 
strongest  contempt  and  scorn  towards  obstinate  sin- 
ners,  which  is  described  as  a  just  retaliation  upon 
them  of  the  very  same  usuage,  which  he,  through  his 
forbearance  and  mercy,  so  long  received  at  their  hands. 

What  has  been  offered,  clearly  proves  much  de- 
pravity in  the  natural  temper  of  man  towards  his 
Maker.  There  is  no  way  of  denying  this,  unless 
you  affirm  it  is  no  baseness  to  forget  the  fountain  of 
all  good,  and  treat  infinite  excellency  with  contempt. 
But  the  impiety  of  such  a  shocking  assertion  can 
proceed  from  no  heart,  which  is  riot  its': 'f  a  living 
demonstration  of  the  great  depravity  it  cannot  bear 
to  own. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  er 

SUNDAY  IX. 

CHAP.  IX. 

The  Human  Heart's  Enmity  against  God. 

1  HE  deplorable  blindness  of  man  in  his  natural 
condition,  his  neglect  and  contempt  of  God,  maiii- 
fet>t  m  the  whole  form  of  his  life,  have  been  already 
proved.  But  there  is  still,  alas !  something  worse 
chargeable  upon  us  all,  till  created  again  in  Christ 
Jesus.  This  1  should  have  carefully  concealed,  did 
I  write  for  reputation,  or  to  please  my  readers,  and 
not  to  bring  them  to  the  knowledge  of  themselves, 
one  of  the  richest  biessings  they  can  receive.  1  well 
know  what  is  going  to  be  proved  upon  fallen  man,  is 
infinitely  offensive  to  pride,  and,  sooner  than  any 
other  charge,  kindles  indignation.  I  remember  the 
time,  when,  full  of  self-complacency,  I  should  have 
resented  such  an  accusation  beyond  measure,  for  the 
truth  of  which  1  now  contend.  I  only  entreat  the 
candor  of  my  readers,  to  believe  I  would  conscien- 
tiously avoid  adding  any  thing  to  the  sinfulness  of 
fallen  man,  which  in  nature  has  no  existence,  and  in 
the  Bible  no  proof.  1  desire  also  to  be  esteemed  no 
less  full  of  love  to  the  human  race,  than  if  1  main^ 
tained  that  man  was  born  with  perfect  rectitude  of 
soul.  With  the  greatest  pleasure  1  should  embrace 
that  notion,  if  fact  and  God's  express  testimony  did 
not  compel  us  to  renounce  it  as  a  dangerous  self-flat- 
tery, and  an  absolute  falsehood. 

Having  thus  endeavoured  to  procure  an  unpreju- 
diced hearing  of  my  proofs,  1  am  bold  to  optn  to 
the  bottom  the  detesiable  coriuption  of  human  na- 
ture ;  and  maintain  that  there  dwells  in  the  heart  of 


^r  COMPLET?:  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

every  man,  till  changed  by  grace,  an  aversion  to  the 
Author  of  his  being.  This  accusation,  those  who 
are  notoriously  abandoned  will  not  allow,  much  less 
will  the  decent,  sober,  and  honest.  The  proofs,  there- 
fore, I  shall  bring,  are  what  all  confess,  do  demon- 
strate hatred  in  every  other  case.  After  these  proofs, 
the  infallible  decision  of  God's  word  upon  the  matter 
shall  be  produced. 

It  is  then  universally  allowed,  that  nothing  but 
aversion  in  the  heart  towards  persons,  beyond  a 
doubt,  wise  and  excellent,  can  render  their  company 
irksome.  Whenever  we  observe  this,  we  conclude 
there  must  be  some  personal  dislike,  however  con- 
cealed or  denied.  Now,  secret  prayer,  and  reading 
the  scripture  with  a  devout  mind,  are  a  near  approach 
to  God,  so  like  being  in  his  company,  that  these 
means  of  grace  are  called  seeking  his  face,  and  en- 
tering into  his  presence.  If,  then,  strong  aversion 
to  holding  such  intercourse  with  our  Maker,  can  be 
proved  natural  to  fallen  man,  it  will  prove  his  aver- 
sion, since  none  can  dispute  the  wisdom  or  glorious 
excellency  of  God. 

By  this  test,  try  the  human  race  in  every  stage  of 
life.  Do  young  or  old,  before  they  are  divinely 
changed,  love  prayer  and  reading  the  scripture,  and 
take  delight  in  both  ?  I  do  not  affirm  they  totally 
neglect  them  ;  but  do  not  they  repeat  prayers  hasti- 
ly, without  desiring  to  know  the  meaning  of  what 
they  repeat  or  read  ?  Are  not  a  few  minutes  in  a 
day  thought  time  sufficient  for  such  a  task  ?  Is  not 
the  Bible,  that  authentic  account  of  God,  ourselves, 
and  the  wonderful  things  he  hath  wrought,  a  taste- 
less book,  very  little  read  ;  whilst  hours  are  every 
day  consumed  with  joy,  in  despicable  amusements, 
and  frothy  entertainments  ?  What  can  more  clearly 
prove  man's  aversion  to  God,  than  this  conduct, 
especially  as  he,  in  infinite  condescension,  offers  t© 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  $9 

hold  communion  with  us,  invites  our  acquaintance, 
would  have  us  regard  him  as  our  exceeding  joy, 
and  lead  our  lives  with  him.  Why  do  we  not  ? 
Bfcause  we  like  not  to  retain  him  in  our  know- 
ledge, nor  to  glorify  him  as  God. 

Further,  when  the  excellency  of  a  person  is  in- 
disputably great,  nothing  but  aversion  towards  his 
self  can  make  strong  regard  for  his  honor,  the  cause 
of  separation  between  nearest  relations  and  dearest 
friends.  But  if  the  dislike  reach  even  to  those  who 
are  zealous  for  his  honour,  only  on  that  account,  in 
what  virulence  must  it  reign  against  the  party  who 
is  the  cause  of  the  quarrel  ? 

By  this  ruie  of  judging,  man's  natural  aversion  to 
his  Maker  is  no  less  flagrant  than  detestable  ;  for 
zealous  subjection  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  love 
for  his  name,  is  nothing  more  than  shiccre  attach- 
ment to  the  glory  and  truth  of  God.  Yet,  in  all 
stages  of  life,  this  temper  is  insufterabiy  offensive  to 
mankind. 

Sometimes,  as  a  prodigy,  it  appears  in  a  child  at 
school.  Instar;tl^  his  pia}mates,  as  from  instinctive 
enmity,  will  have  him  in  derision.  In  universities 
you  m.ay  consume  your  time  iri  idleness,  be  lewd, 
intemperate,  or  profane  in  discourse  and  principle, 
and  suffer  no  persecution  or  reproach.  But  if,  ^vidi 
Christian  fortitude,  \ou  refrain  from  all  fashionable 
vice,  and  dare  to  urge  the  law  of  God  as  the  stand- 
ard of  right  and  wrong,  sneers  and  abusive  insult 
must  be  expected.  As  this  is  the  case,  before  the 
corrupt  affections  of  the  heart  are  inflamed  by  long 
indulgence,  it  must  necessarily  be  worse  afterwards. 
Accordingly,  fludi  in  Christ  working  by  love,  and 
producing  the  most  excellent  fruits,  are  the  C2use  of 
variance  and  separation,  where  the  greatest  intin.acy 
and  friendship  subsisted  before.  I'he  same  persons 
who  were  pleased  with  your  good  sense  and  good 


70  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

manners,  who  even  proposed  you  as  a  pattern  for 
imitation,  whilst  living  with  them  in  fashionable  for- 
getfuhiess  of  God,  so  soon  as  you  are  divinely  chang- 
ed into  a  real  christian,  will  look  shy  upon  you,  cen- 
sure sharply  your  principles,  and,  if  interest  prevent 
not,  openly  abuse  your  extravagant  piety,  and  re- 
nounce your  acquaintance.  Could  this  ever  be  the 
case,  was  there  indifference  only  tov\'ards  God  in  the 
heart,  and  not  aversion  ?  By  no  means ;  for  though 
you  may  not  approve  of  your  friend's  intimacy  with 
a  third  person  of  known  worth,  yet  you  would  never 
be  enraged  with  him  on  that  account,  unless  you 
greatly  disliked  that  person. 

It  is  a  certain  proof  of  aversion  to  your  King, 
when  you  cannot  bear  the  respectful  mention  of  his 
name  ;  when  in  silent  chagrin  you  hear  the  relation 
of  his  good  qualities  ;  and  are  impatient  to  leave  the 
room,  till  another  topic  of  discourse  be  introduced. 
What  then  are  we  to  conclude  from  the  general 
hatred  of  relisrious  conversation  ?  Whv,  in  all  the 
vast  variety  of  subjects  on  which  men  discourse,  is 
objection  only  made  against  those  sentiments  which 
exalt  the  honour  of  God,  and  Jesus  Christ  whom  he 
hath  sent  ?  What  but  inbred  aversion  would  imme- 
diatelv  brand  conversation  of  this  kind,  as  odious 
cant,  and  obstinately  ascribe  it  to  ostentation,  or 
some  base  design.  Men  will  be  pleased  with  inces- 
sant prating  about  every  the  meanest  trifle,  dogs, 
horses,  cards,  and  courtezans  ;  but  as  soon  as  an 
attempt  is  made  to  turn  our  attention  to  the  Lord 
of  the  world,  his  transactions,  commands,  govern- 
ment, or  love,  the  very  mention  of  the  subject  occa- 
sions, in  almost  every  company,  a  visible  disgust ; 
disapproving  silence  instantly  ensues  ;  till  some  mean 
foolish  pursuit  of  m,en  is  again  introduced,  as  a  pleas- 
ing topic  of  discourse.  Ah  !  what  can  demonstrate, 
that  God  is  the  object  of  general  a\crsion,  if  this 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN,  n 

fiiils,  which  proclaims  aloud,  that  he  is  the  only  per- 
son of  whom  no  one  chooses  to  speak,  and  whose 
praises  no  one  desires  to  hear  !  Could  a  circle  of 
avowed  atheists  desire  to  have  it  otherwise  ? 

Again,  no  one  doubts  whether  enmit)'  reigns  in  the 
heart  against  our  earthly  sovereign,  when  the  tongue 
is  ever  abusing  his  best  friends,  and  casting  reproach 
upon  his  government,  and  the  hand  active  in  oppos- 
ing it.  Judging  by  the  same  rule ,  how  plain  is  the 
enmity  of  men,  unrenewed  in  their  minds,  against 
God  !  It  is  common  to  hear  them  pour  out  ridicule 
on  the  faithful  servants  of  Christ,  as  creatures  ab- 
surdly demure,  in  judgment  pitiably  weak,  in  tem- 
per madly  enthusiastic  ;  though  ever  so  prudent, 
discreet,  steady,  and  excellent.  What  a  malicious 
insinuation  is  this  against  the  glorious  God !  It  is 
saying,  in  effect,  that  all  who  have  any  concern  for 
his  honour,  are  under  the  power  of  delusion,  and 
truly  despicable  in  their  choice  and  pursuits. 

Add  to  this,  that  the  disobedience  of  men  to  the 
law  of  God  of  itself  proves  enmity.  Everv  wilful 
transgression  is  a  controversy  with  him  who  forbids 
it,  and  a  direct  opposition  to  his  will.  It  is  expressly 
called  in  scripture  rebellion  against  God.  For 
though  we  cannot  bring  forth  the  weapons  of  our  in- 
dignation against  the  invisible,  as  rebellious  sub- 
jects do  against  their  mortal  king,  yet  the  biddinc; 
defiance  to  his  law  demonstrates  our  inclination  to 
do  this  execrable  deed.  It  is  an  evident  declara- 
tion that  our  spirit  is  in  a  state  of  hostility  against 
Heaven.  Every  presumptuous  offender  calls  aloud 
by  his  practice  upon  ail  who  behold  it:  Come  on, 
rise  up  with  me,  as  an  enemy  against  the  Lord. 
Who  is  he,  that  he  should  reign  over  us  ? 
^^  From  these  instances,  notorious  in  all  places,  and 
in  every  condition  of  life,  it  is  evident  the  natural 
temper  of  mankind  towards  the  author  of  their  bein£^ 


X.2  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

is  enmity  itself;  for  these  instances,  every  man 
would  confess  a  demonstration  of  enmity  in  every 
other  case.  What  then  but  the  blindest,  baset  self- 
love,  can  lead  us  to  deny  it  in  the  present  ? 

But  whether  we  will  allow  it  or  not,  our  Maker 
has  decided  the  matter.  He  constantly  speaks  of  the 
children  of  men  in  their  natural  state,  as  haters  of 
him,  his  adversaries,  and  enemies.  Christ,  we  are 
assured,  died  for  the  ungodly,  which,  we  are  told,  in 
a  few  verses  after,  includes  our  most  obnoxious  con- 
dition of  being  enemies  to  God. 

The  carnal  mind  (which  the  context  explains  to 
be  the  mind  of  man  in  his  natural  state)  is  affirmed, 
Rom.  viii.  7,  to  be  not  only  averse  to  God,  but  en- 
mity against  him  ;  which  enmity  expresses  itself  in 
abhorring  to  pay  the  homage  due  to  the  Creator,  by 
believing  and  obeying  his  word. 

Indeed  the  gospel  itself,  by  one  of  its  most  lovely 
titles,  emphatically  proves  the  melancholy  truth,  for 
it  is  called  the  ministry  of  reconciliation.  A  method 
contrived  by  consummate  wisdom,  and  executed  by 
almighty  love,  to  reconcile  us  unto  God,  who  were 
enemies  to  him  in  our  minds,  and  by  wicked  works. 
Col.  i.  21. 

From  this  deplorable  depravity  of  man,  his  sinful- 
ness appears  in  a  glaring  light.     For  what  can  be 
more  criminal  than  such  a  disposition  ?  Consider  it 
in  its  direct  tendency.     It  is  no  less  than  a  denial  of 
the  relation  which  subsists  between  the  Creator  and 
creature.     It  is  turning  the  noblest  part  of  the  divine 
workmanship  visible  on  earth  from  its  proper  basis. 
Was  you  to  break  in  pieces  the  whole  frame  of  na- 
ture, and  resolve  the  world  into  a  mere  chaos,  the  evil 
would  not  be  so  great,  as  breaking  the  primary  bond 
between  the  Almighty  Creator,  and  his  more  excel- 
lent work,  a  rational  immortal  soul.     For  all  the  re- 
lations which  subsist  between  creatures  are  mean,  in 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 


«  c» 


comparison  of  the  relation  between  creatures,  and  the 
Author  of  their  being.  Besides,  what  monstrous 
wickedness  is  disaffection  to  the  glorious  Author  of 
our  lives  ?  What  do  we  think  or  say  of  those  who 
hate  their  excellent  parents?  We  judge  such  chil- 
dren guilty  in  the  highest  degree,  and  brand  them 
with  every  name  of  reproach.  Yet  in  how  small  a 
measure  do  parents  contribute  to  the  being  or  wel- 
fare of  their  children,  compared  with  what  the  bless- 
ed God  doth  to  ours?  And  how  little  superiority 
have  parents  in  point  of  power  and  excellency  above 
their  children  ?  Whereas  the  majesty  and  excellency 
of  our  Maker,  none  deny,  exceed  our  highest  con- 
ceptions. 

Further,  what  cause  can  man  alledge  as  the  ground 
of  this  disaffection  towards  God  ?  Many  good  works 
has  he  done  for  us  all ;  for  which  of  these  is  he  hat- 
ed ?  What  injuries  have  we  received  from  him  to 
oftcnid  us  ?  With  many  powerful  allurements  he 
draws  us,  as  with  the  cords  of  a  man  ;  by  benefits 
visible  to  every  eye,  and  repeated  every  dav,  in  all 
the  comforts  and  conveniences  of  life  ;  by  inviting  all 
who  will  return  to  their  allegiance,  to  partake  of  the 
highest  degrees  of  honour  and  everlasting  salvation, 
through  the  sacrifice  of  his  own  Son,  by  whom  he 
beseeches  sinners  to  be  reconciled  unto  him. 

Enmity  against  God  comprehends  all  other  wick- 
edness in  it.  For  as  love  to  God  and  man  is  the  sum 
of  all  the  precepts,  so  hatred  of  God  comprehends 
all  iniquity,  since  every  branch  of  it  may  be  resolv- 
ed into  this  detestable  depravity  of  mind. 

If  you  ask,  what  is  the  great  use  of  representing 
the  natural  vileness  of  man  in  his  apostasy  from  God, 
and  describing  his  character  in  colours  so  opposite  to 
those,  which  have  been  long  in  fashion  ;  I  answer,  the 
knowledge  of  man's  natural  corruption,  in  the  degree 
proved  above,  from  fact  and  scripture,  is  al:i5ohitely 

K 


74  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAIST. 

necessary  to  justify  the  capital  doctrines  of  the  Bi- 
ble :  to  prove,  that,  far  from  being  arbitrary  declara- 
tions. the\  have  their  foundation  in  our  misery,  of 
which  they  are  the  only  cure. 

By  the  capital  doctrines  of  scripture,  I  understand, 
redemption  from  sin,  and  acceptance  with  God, 
through  faith  in  the  atonement  and  righteousness  of 
God  our  Saviour  ;  tht  iiiumiiiation  of  the  mind,  and 
ch  inge  of  all  its  tempers,  by  the  inward  operation  of 
the  Holv  Ghost. 

Against  each  of  these  doctrines,  you  must  be 
strongly  prejudiced,  or  only  receive  them  as  specu- 
lative points,  till  you  know  man's  natural  condition 
respecting  God,  is  exceeding  sinful.  For,  though 
conscience  will  not  suffer  you  to  say,  you  have  done 
no  evil,  yet,  if  you  have  been  decent,  sober,  arid  mor- 
al, ^  ou  will  quarrel  with  the  doctrine  of  scripture  : 
confident  yr)U  are  not  so  wicked  by  many  degrees  as 
that  book  of  truth  affirms  you  are,  nor  deserve,  in 
any  measure,  that  punishment  which,  it  so  solemnly 
declares,  is  the  wages  of  sin. 

As  strong  an  objection,  and  in  its  tendency  as  ru- 
inous to  the  soul,  will  reign  in  your  heart  against  the 
w:iy  of  life.  For  your  own  better  obedience,  after 
transgressions,  will  hold  a  high  place  in  your  con- 
ceit, and  consequently  create  steadfast  hatred  to  the 
doctrine  of  salvation  by  grace.  A  doctrine  incom- 
patible with  a  good  opinion  of  our  own  virtues  and 
performances  :  for  it  annuls  every  plea  to  obtain  mer- 
cy, but  the  blood  of  the  Redeemer,  who,  in  infinite 
pity,  undertook  to  deliver  man  from  ruin,  by  bearing 
on  the  cross  his  sin.  A  way  of  reconciliation  to 
God,  which  never  can  be  cordially  accepted,  nor  ef- 
fectually used,  till  we  confess  the  human  race  is  al- 
together corrupt  and  iibominable  in  their  natural  tem- 
pers respecting  their  Maker.  Whereas  the  meek 
acknowledgment  of  this  truth  makes  it  evident  be- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  #5 

yond  a  doubt,  that  it  became  Him,  by  whom  are  all 
things,  and  for  whom  are  all  thinj^s,  in  no  other  way 
to  justify  the  ungodly,  sinners,  and  enemies  to  him, 
and  so  to  bring  many  sons  unto  glory. 

Further,   whilst  men  are  not  supposed  to  be  in 
their  natural  state,  blind  to  the  truths  and  excellency 
of  God,  and  in  their  earliest  disposition  set  against 
him,  the  doctrine  of  illumination  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  his  agency  as  the  principle  of  new  life,  must  be 
rejected  as  absurd  and  false.     For  if  man's  under- 
standing be  not  dark,  or  he  can,  by  his  own  applica- 
tion and  efforts,  know  the  truth  and  obey  it,  there  can 
be  no  need  of  foreign  help.      In  this  case,  exhorta- 
tions to  exert  his  own  abilities  are  rational ;   but  calls 
upon  him   to   pray  for  the   spirit  of  revelation  are 
foolish.     For  the  same  reason,  the  agency  of  divine 
grace  can  never  be  thought  necessary  to  form  anew 
the  tempers  of  the  mind,   unless  it   was    naturally 
prone  to  forget,  despise,  and  hate  its  glorious  Crea- 
tor  :  because,  to  reform  the  manners  in  a  very  con- 
siderable degree,  or  to  excel  in  the  practice  of  justice, 
honesty,   humanity,  and  mercy,   requires  no  super- 
natural aid.   We  daily  see  some  who  despise  prayer, 
and  the  oracles  of  God,  yet  live   in  peace,  probity, 
and  good-v/ill  towards  men  ;  so  that  we  do  not  uni- 
versally act  contrary  to  social  duties.  But  it  is  that 
strength  of  impiety  which  opposes  our  giving  to  God 
honor,  and  glory,  and  obedience,  and  supreme  love, 
which  renders  the  agency  of  the  Holy  Ghest  indis- 
pensably necessary.     This  detestable  depravity  run- 
ning in  the  blood  of  mankind,  and  being  interwoven 
with  their  frame  since  the  fall,  demands  his  energy, 
who  is  the  great  Restorer  of  the  divine  image  on  the 
mind  of  man. 

The  conclusion,  therefore,  is  plain  :  in  proportion 
as  ignorance  of  the  condition  of  human  nature  re- 
specting God  prevails^  the  whole  scheme  of  Chrh- 


re  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

tian  principles  must  be  rejected,  or  received  in  hy- 
pocrisy ;  whilst,  in  the  same  degree  as  we  know  our- 
selves, we  shall  reverence,  embrace,  and  improve  it, 
to  the  glory  of  God,  the  good  of  all  about  us,  and 
the  salvation  of  our  souls. 


PRAYER, 

For  the  Knowledge  of  Ourselves, 
Suited  to  the  Preceding  Subject. 

O  LORD  GOD,  Thou  resisteth  the  proud,  but 
givest  grace  to  the  humble  :  subdue  our  haughty 
spirit  which  cannot  brook  the  charge  of  sinfulness 
brought  against  us  in  thy  word.  Brnig  to  our  re- 
membrance the  days  in  which  we  wert  like  beasts, 
ignorant  of  our  dependence  upon  thee  ;  of  thy 
excellency,  or  thy  authority  over  us  ;  or  of  the  de- 
testable baseness  of  rebelling  against  thee.  How 
long  was  it  before  we  said,  w^here  is  God  our  maker? 
How  often,  when  sickness  or  pain,  danger  and  de- 
liverance from  it,  have  forced  us  to  think  of  thy 
mercies,  has  the  remembrance  of  thee  fled  away,  as 
a  dream  when  one  awake th!  Or  if,  through  good 
education  and  example,  we  could  not  forget  thee, 
how  daringly  have  we  despised  thy  counsel !  We 
have  behaved  to  thee,  as  if  nothing  was  so  unrea- 
sonable as  thy  commandments,  or  so  contemptible 
as  thy  service.  Our  vile  lusts  we  have  served  from 
our  hearts,  but  would  have  none  of  thy  counsel,  nor 
be  checked  by  thy  reproof.  Our  mind  has  been 
enmity  against  thee,  not  able  to  bear  thou  shouldest 
be  so  highly  exalted,  and  we  be  absolutely  restrain- 
ed from  every  evil  gratification.  In  aversion  to  thee, 
we  have  chosen  the  company  of  the  ungodly.     We 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  7f 

have  taken  pleasure  in  their  profane  manners.  Wc 
have  held  thy  most  zealous  servants  in  derision, 
counting  their  lives  foolishness,  and  their  end  to  be 
without  honor. 

Such,  O  Lord  God,  have  been  the  effects  of  our 
natural  enmity  towards  thee.  How  exceeding  sin- 
ful in  thy  sight !  Save  us  from  palliating  and  dis- 
sembling this  our  condition.  In  the  deepest  acknow- 
ledgment of  thy  grace,  enable  us  to  cry,  Lord,  what 
is  man  that  thou  regardest  him !  From  full  convic- 
tion of  our  entire  depravity,  may  we  feel  our  need  of 
a  Redeemer.  May  we  see  our  sinfulness,  such  as 
could  not  be  pardoned,  but  through  his  atoning 
blood ;  our  vile  affections  so  strong,  as  not  to  be 
subdued  but  by  his  spirit ;  and  our  souls  so  fallen 
from  God,  as  to  be  incapable  of  entering  into  his 
kingdom,  till  born  again  from  above. 

Grant  us  wisdom,  O  God,  to  trace  up  all  our 
transgressions  to  their  fountain  head,  the  corruption 
of  our  nature.  And  from  every  discovery  of  innate 
depravity,  teach  us  to  set  an  higher  value  on  the 
blood  and  righteousness  of  Christ,  and  depend  only 
on  the  grace  of  the  floly  Spirit.  From  a  clear  per- 
ception, that  in  us,  i.  e.  in  our  flesh,  there  dwelleth 
no  good  thing,  may  w^e  be  jealous  of  ourselves,  and 
circumspect,  and  put  our  whole  trust  in  God's 
promises,  power,  and  grace,  to  keep  us  from  falling. 

O  Lord,  knowing  there  is  none  righteous,  no  not 
one,  that  all  are  corrupt,  and  Vv^holly  so  in  their  nature, 
give  us  an  heart  to  pity  and  pray  for  all  men ;  to  be 
kind,  tender-hearted,  and  full  of  bowels  of  mercy. 
May  we  be  led,  by  what  we  observe  in  others,  to 
turn  our  eyes  inward,  and  lament  our  own  mani- 
fold defects,  since  we  are  all  of  one  blood,  and  all 
inherit  the  same  evil  nature. 

Finally,  we  commend  to  thee,  O  God,  who  alone 
canst  shew  to  men  in  error  the  light  of  thy  truth, 


78  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

all  who  deny  their  natural  blindness  and  depravity. 
O  hide  pride  from  their  eyes.  Convince  them  by  thy 
spirit,  and,  by  setting  their  evil  ways  and  doings  be- 
fore them,  that  they  ought  to  abhor  themselves,  to 
bow  down  before  thee,  wretched,  and  miserable,  and 
poor  and  blind,  and  naked,  as  they  are,  begging  to 
be  made  partakers  of  the  riches  of  thy  grace  in 
Christ  Jesus,  who  came  to  seek  and  to  save  that 
which  was  lost.  Hear  us  for  his  sake,  our  only  Me- 
diator. Amen. 


SUNDAY  X. 

CHAP.  X. 

On  the  Perfection  of  the  Latr. 

1  HE  law,  with  its  terms  of  perfect  righteous- 
ness and  Ufe  on  one  hand,  of  disobedience  and  di  ath 
on  the  other,  is  the  first  thing  in  the  word  of  God 
which  claims  our  attention.  And  till  this  law  is 
known,  the  gospel  cannot  be  understood  ;  because 
it  is  a  revelation  of  the  way  which  God  has  ordained 
to  deliver  sinners  from  the  curse  of  the  law. 

This  most  important  connexion  between  the  law 
and  gospel  is  frequently  taught  in  scripture.  Yet, 
from  a  strong  aversion  in  us  ail  to  confess  our  shame 
and  guilt,  and  from  a  false  construction  of  what  is 
spoken  of  the  law.  as  if  it  related  to  the  Jewish  state, 
this  point  is  fatally  overlooked  by  most,  who  call 
themselves  Christians. 

To  remove  such  hurtful  ignorance,  I  shall  lay  be- 
fore you  tlie  perfection  and  extent  of  the  law ;  the 
excellent   benefits  which  flow  from  understandir^ 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  t9 

Both  its  nature  and  design  ;  and  the  pernicious  er- 
rors which  govern  the  mind,  till  the  law  is  under- 
stood. 

The  perfection  of  the  law  of  the  Ten  Command- 
ments will  be  evident,  from  comparing  it  with  all 
other  laws,  and  considering  its  extent. 

The  best  laws  of  human  contrivance  are  sadly 
defective,  because  they  cannot  take  cognizance  of 
the  intents  of  the  heart,  nor  condemn  the  first  pro-- 
pensities  to  evil.  Their  whole  force  reaches  no  far- 
ther than  the  preservation  of  public  peace.  On  the 
contrary,  the  law  of  God  forbids,  under  pain  of  pen- 
alties insupportable,  our  compliance  with  the  invi- 
sible suggestions  of  evil  concupiscence,  and  strictly 
condemns  our  giving  place,  but  for  an  instant,  to  a 
wicked  thought. 

If  it  be  said  the  law  of  conscience  is  not  defec- 
tive here,  as  human  statutes  must  be ;  that  this, 
going  deeper,  serves  as  a  supplement  to  them,  and 
restrains,  where  penal  laws  fail.  The  answer  is 
obvious ;  the  law  of  conscience  is  formed  by  their 
manners  and  sentiments  with  whom  we  are  educated, 
and  constantly  converse.  It  must  be  of  course  ex- 
ceedingly depraved  by  customs  and  prejudices,  and 
on  that  account  an  uncertain  and  dangerous,  instead 
of  a  sufficient  rule  of  action.  But  the  law  of  the 
Ten  Commandments  leaves  us  in  no  difficulty,  nor 
under  any  doubts.  We  know,  whilst  we  are  con- 
forming to  it,  we  obey  a  rule  of  perfect  righteous- 
ness. 

Further,  the  laws  which  are  established,  even  for 
the  peace  and  welfare  of  society,  are  often  severe 
and  distressing  to  some  individuals,  nor  can  human 
sagacity  prevent  this.  The  best  laws,  therefore, 
are  those  which  are  attended  with  the  fewest  incon- 
veniences. But  the  law  of  God  is  at  all  times,  and 
in  all  places,  equally  of  universal  benefit.  The  most 


«@  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

exact  attention  to  it  is  sure  to  produce  the  greatest 
measure  of  comfort  and  peace  among  men.  No  one 
can  say,  with  truth,  he  is  in  the  least  aggrieved  by 
it :  neither  rich  nor  poor,  governors  nor  subjects, 
whilst  they  regard  their  true  interest,  have  cause  to 
wish  the  least  alteration  in  it. 

To  proceed  one  step  farther,  the  law  or  doctrine, 
which  moral  philosophers  taught  of  old,  and  many 
still  profess  to  admire  above  the  scripture  rule,  is 
little  better  than  deceit  varnished  over  with  great 
swelling  words.  It  talks  of  eradicating  the  passions, 
yet  neither  promises  nor  intimates  that  supernatural 
aid  shall  be  given  to  accomplish  this  arduous  work ; 
the  man  is  self-sufficient.  Besides,  instead  of  con- 
demning, it  encourages  the  worst  tempers  in  the 
human  breast ;  for  it  directs  us  to  conquer  intem- 
perance, resentment,  and  revenge,  by  pride ;  and 
the  sins  of  the  bodv  bv  those  of  the  mind,  that  is,  it 
will  make  men  less  like  beasts,  by  making  them 
more  resemble  devils. 

How  superior  the  law  of  the  Ten  Command- 
ments !  which  equally  condemns  every  evil  temper, 
and  strikes  at  the  whole  body  of  sin,  and  at  every 
defilement,  which  prevents  the  perfection  of  holiness. 

There  is  still  one  law  more  to  be  considered, 
which  claims,  no  less  than  the  Ten  Commandments, 
the  God  of  heaven  and  of  earth  for  its  author,  the 
Jewish  ceremonial  law.  Yet,  when  weighed  with 
the  moral,  it  will  be  found  of  far  less  excellency  ; 
for,  though  of  divine  apponitment,  it  was  limited  to 
one  people ;  whereas  the  moral  law  extends  to  all, 
resulting  necessarily  from  the  perfections  of  God, 
and  our  relation  to  each  other  as  his  rational  off- 
spring. Besides,  there  was  only  a  temporary  and 
relative  use  in  the  ceremonial  law  ;  it  was  in  all  its 
branches  to  serve  as  a  figure  for  the  time  then  present. 
It   shadowed  forth,    Messiah,   the  substance;   and 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  /      81 

when  he  appeared,  and  had  finished  his  work,  it  was 
to  cease  for  ever.  But  the  commandments  of  the 
two  tables,  are  of  unalterable  obligation,  so  long  as 
the  world  endures ;  and  whilst  the  Levitical  ordi- 
nances did  mystically  respect  the  inner  man  of  the 
heart,  the  law  of  the  Ten  Commandments  emphati- 
cally, and  without  a  figure,  ordains  what  its  tempers 
and  desires  ought  ever  to  be. 

The  admirable  perfection  of  the  law  will  appear 
still  more  manifest,  from  briefly  pointing  out  the 
great  extent  of  duty  enjoined  by  the  Ten  Command- 
ments. They  are  designed  to  secure  the  honor  due 
to  the  name  of  God ;  sanctify  all  the  powers  of  man 
to  his  service ;  regulate  the  life  and  heart  in  every 
situation,  and  describe  the  perfection  of  holiness. 
For  though,  in  our  natural  ignorance,  seduced  too  by 
names  of  great  weight  in  the  learned  world,  and 
criminally  partial  to  ourselves,  we,  with  an  air  of  con- 
fidence, conclude  the  commandments  mean  no  more 
than  they  are  understood  by  us  to  mean ;  yet  our 
God  and  Judge,  by  interpreting,  himself,  three  of  the 
ten,  plainly  proves,  every  one  of  them  reaches  to  the 
thoughts  and  intents  of  the  heart. 

The  First  Commandment  requires  supreme,  un- 
rivalled love  of  God  ;  that  sensual  pleasure,  honor, 
riches,  and  every  earthly  comfort,  compared  with 
him,  should  be  vile  in  our  eyes.  The  Second 
obliges  us  to  take  heed,  that  we  conceive  of  God 
as  he  has  revealed  his  own  nature,  neither  adding 
nor  diminishing  any  thing  ;  that  we  worship  before 
him  secretly,  and  in  the  congregation,  according  to 
the  rule  he  hath  himself  appointed,  oftering  to  him 
spiritual  prayers,  praises,  and  thanksgivings,  keep- 
ing at  a  distance  from  every  appearance  of  idolatry. 
The  Third  Commandment  requires  us  to  be  mind- 
ful at  all  times  of  God's  majesty,  conscientiously 
avoiding,  in  our  conversation  and  thoughts,  every 

L 


^2  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

tiling  savouring  of  irreverence  towards  him  ;  that  we 
observe  faithfully  the  religious  profession  we  make 
before  him,  and  with  the  form  of  godliness  join  the 
power.  The  Fourth  obliges  us  to  lay  aside  every 
worldly  occupation  on  the  Lord's  day,  that  the  worth 
of  the  soul,  and  things  of  a  spiritual  nature,  may  take 
up  our  thoughts,  and  more  strongly  affect  our  minds. 
The  Fifth  requires  us,  as  soon  as  we  can  understand 
our  duty,  to  pay  a  cheerful  obedience  to  our  parents, 
testifv  ing  the  sense  we  have  of  our  debt  to  them, 
under  God.  for  life,  for  much  tenderness  and  care 
over  us  in  the  helpless  state  of  childhood,  and  num- 
berless benefits  beside.  The  Sixth  not  only  re- 
strains our  hands  from  murderous  violence,  but  con- 
dc  mns  every  degree  of  wrath,  hatred,  or  want  of 
love  in  the  heart  towards  men.  The  Seventh  not 
only  condemns  the  whoremonger  and  adulterer,  but 
the  looking  upon  the  face  of  beauty  with  impure 
thoughts,  as  the  adultery  of  the  heart.  The  Eighth 
is  a  barrier  against  every  injurious  encroachment 
which  self-love  would  lead  us  to  make  upon  our 
neighbour's  property  or  rights :  it  forbids  every 
species  of  fraud,  however  prevalent,  or  palliated  by 
plausible  excuses.  The  Ninth  exacts  from  us  an 
inviolable  regard  to  truth,  and  the  character  of  our 
fellow-creatures ;  a  victory  over  the  tongue,  that 
world  of  iniquity,  the  tongue  so  impatient  of  re- 
straint from  the  law  of  kindness.  The  Tenth  con- 
demns every  covetous  wish,  all  love  to  the  things  of 
the  world,  and  every  degree  of  discontent  at  our 
appointed  situation. 

It  is  evident  from  this  brief  account  of  the  Ten 
Commandments,  that  there  is  not  one  moral  precept 
in  the  Bible,  which  is  more  than  an  explicit  declara- 
tion, of  what  in  substance  and  intention  was  before 
enjoined  in  the  law  proclaimed  by  the  mouth  of  the 
Lord  of  Hosts,  on  mount  Sinai.    Our  Judge  compels 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  %3 

US  to  allow  this,  by  explaining  the  import  of  the 
Commaiidnients  written  on  the  First  table,  as  requir- 
ing  us  to  love  the  Lord  our  God  ''with  all  our  heart, 
and  with  all  our  mind,  and  with  all  our  strength." 
In  other  words,  with  a  love  so  fervent,  as  to  desire 
nothing  in  comparison  of  his  glory  ;  to  regard  him 
as  our  chief  joy  in  prosperity,  our  all-sufficient  por- 
tion in  adversity,  and  his  favor  as  better  than  life  it-^ 
self;  endeavouring,  by  all  our  services,  and  all  the 
means  which  our  understanding  can  discover,  to 
bring  men  to  the  knowledge  and  love  of  his  name. 

Thus,  according  to  the  demands  of  this  spiritual 
law,  you  see  all  our  powers  and  faculties  must  be 
wholly  engaged  in  the  service,  and  to   the  honor 

of  God. 

The  Commandments  of  the  Second  table,  as  our 
almighty  Judge  interprets  them,  obiige  us  to  love 
our  neighbour  as  we  love  ourselves,  i.  e.  to  pity  his 
misery,  compassionate  his  mistakes  and  infirmities, 
conceal  his  faults,  and  exercise  every  office  of  kind- 
ness to  him  in  our  power. 

From  this  view  of  the  Ten  Commandments,  the 
law  appears  altogether  worthy  of  its  author,  who 
loveth  righteousness,  and  hateth  iniquity  ;  who  is  at 
once  jealous  of  the  honor  of  his  name  amongst  men  ; 
and  full  of  tender  regard  for  their  present  and  eternal 
welfare. 


84  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

SUNDAY  XL 

CHAP.  XI. 
The  several  Uses  of  the  Law. 

vJNE  obvious  and  excellent  use,  is,  to  serve  as  a 
complete  unchangeable  standard  of  right  and  wrong. 
Whilst  man  possessed  the  glory  he  received  from 
his  Maker,  a  law  engraven  on  tables  of  stone  was 
needless,  because  the  graces  of  his  soul  were  a  liv- 
ing copy  of  the  law.  As  face  answereth  to  face  in 
the  water,  so  did  Adam's  unsullied  mind  to  the  will 
of  God.  But  with  fallen  man  the  case  is  entirely  re- 
versed. Instead  of  innate  knowledge  of  truth,  man, 
if  left  to  himself,  must  labour  by  slow  and  multiplied 
deductions  to  know  but  a  small  part  of  his  duty. 
His  understanding  is  so  defective  in  determining 
w^hat  is  right  and  wrong,  that  things  utterly  detesta- 
ble in  our  judgment,  w^ho  have  the  pure  light  of  the 
law,  were  practised  and  approved,  without  one  dis- 
senting voice,  in  nations  most  famous  for  knowledge 
and  arts.  A  palpable  proof,  that  man  has  no  light  in 
himself  to  find  out  a  rule  of  life,  which  ought  to  be 
trusted.  It  is  one  grand  design  of  the  law  from 
mount  Sinai  to  supply  this  want ;  to  deliver  man 
from  fallacious  reasonings  about  duty  ;  to  demand 
his  obedience  to  a  rule  of  action  complete,  though 
short ;  and  which,  by  virtue  of  its  Author,  equally 
excludes  all  doubt  and  all  debate. 

Another  perpetual  use  of  the  law  is  to  deter,  by 
its  tremendous  curse,  those  persons  from  sinning 
against  God,  who  disregard  more  generous  motives. 
It  represents  the  thunderbolt  of  divine  indignation, 
as  lifted  up  and  ready  to  fall  upon  the  presumptuous 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  85 

offender.  It  brings  men  under  dread  of  a  Judge, 
who  "will  visit  the  sins  of  the  fathers  upon  the  chil- 
dren unto  the  third  and  fourth  generation,"  whilst 
he  keeps  ''mercy  for  thousands  of  them  that  love 
him,  and  keep  his  Commandments." 

Now,  though  it  must  be  confessed,  the  inclina- 
tions of  the  heart,  when  restrained  by  terrors,  remain 
evil  as  before,  yet  much  mischief,  which  would  fol- 
low from  indulging  them,  is  prevented.  Thousands 
who  abhor  no  kind  of  villany,  yet  dare  not  disturb 
the  peace  of  society  by  acts  of  violence,  through  fear 
of  death.  And  ten  thousands  are  kept  from  excess 
in  wickedness  by  the  threatenings,  which  are  the 
sanction  of  the  law  of  God. 

To  serve  as  a  standard  of  right  and  wrong,  and  to 
deter  from  transgression,  are  uses  which  the  law  of 
God  has  in  common  with  human  laws.  Besides  these 
ends,  there  are  others,  which  it  is  designed  perpetu- 
ally to  answer.  Yet,  so  mortifying,  alas  !  to  human 
pride,  that  we  are  brought  with  great  difficuitv  to 
allow  them.  The  scripture  teaches  us,  that  the'law 
was  given,  that  every  mouth  might  be  stopped,  and 
the  whole  world  become  guilty  before  God.  It  was 
given  also  to  serve  as  a  *'  schoolmaster  to  bring  us 
to  Christ,  who  is  the  end  of  the  law  for  righteous- 
ness, to  every  one  that  belie veth." 

It  is  plain,  from  the  inspired  apostle's  arguing, 
that  one  principal  design  of  the  law  was  to  confound 
all  who  trust  in  themselves  as  righteous,  by  fixing 
on  them  a  conviction  of  sin,  deserving  and  exposing 
to  endless  misery.  For  the  apostle  distinguishes  the 
law  of  the  Ten  Commandments,  from  the  ceremo- 
nial Jewish  ones,  by  calling  it  the  law  written  and 
engraven  on  two  tables  of  stone.  After  this  distinc- 
tion, he  calls  it  the  ministration  of  condemnation, 
because  it  binds  over  every  man  living  to  suffer  as  a 
criminal,  unless  a  sacrifice  and  mediator  is  found  to 
interpose  and  save,  2  Cor.  iii.  9. 


9^  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

Lest  we  should  forget  or  evade  a  single  decl  ara- 
tion  of  this  useful  but  offensive  truth,  or  think  slight- 
ly of  that  condenination  the  law  brings  upon  every 
transgressor,  it  is  called  "  The  Ministration  of 
Death  ;"  it  arraigns  and  convicts  all  men,  and  then 
pronounces  sentence  of  death  upon  them.  And,  lest 
it  should  be  doubted  whether  we  are  to  understand 
by  death  the  damnation  of  hell,  or  only  the  dissolu- 
tion of  the  body,  this  law  of  the  Ten  Commandments 
is  called  *'  the  strength  of  sin."  That  formidable 
power  which  binds  over  every  unpardoned  offender 
to  answer  for  his  sins,  and  transmits  him,  after  judg- 
ment, to  suffer  the  bitter  pains  of  hell ;  that  power 
is  the  law.  And  to  decide  the  point,  that  the  grand 
design  of  the  law  was  to  prove  our  ruined  condition, 
without  redemption  by  Christ,  believers  are  exhort- 
ed to  abound  in  thankfulness  to  God,  for  giving 
them  victory  over  this  insupportable  accuser,  through 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  celebrated  as  an  in- 
estimable benefactor  to  his  church,  '*  not  because 
he  taught  us  "  as  never  man  did,  or  left  us  a  perfect 
example  to  copy ;  not  because  he  came  to  save  all 
who  trust  on  his  arm  from  a  seducing  world,  and 
the  power  of  Satan.  No,  but  mark  with  the  utmost 
attention  the  gracious  declaration,  because  "  he  hath 
redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the  law,  being  made 
a  curse  for  us,"  Gal.  iii.  13. 

Further,  God  has  been  pleased  to  use  an  admi- 
rable method  for  confirming  the  capital  doctrines  of 
his  word,  by  recording  an  acknowledgment  of  their 
truth,  from  his  most  eminent  saints.  In  this  striking 
manner  we  are  taught  that  the  law  of  the  Ten  Com- 
mandments was  given  to  convince  men  of  their  sin- 
ful state.  St.  Paul,  by  inspiration  of  God,  is  direct- 
ed  to  relate  his  ignorance  of  this  grand  design  of  the 
law,  and  the  change  the.  knowledge  of  it  produced  in 
his  mind,  ''  I  wa$  alive,"  says  he,  "  without  the  law 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  87 

once  :"  I  thou,s^ht  I  was  paying  such  an  obedience 
to  it,  as,  conbidering  human  infirmity,  must  upon 
the  whole  render  me  acceptable  to  God.  "  But 
when  the  Commandment  came,"  when  its  meaning, 
no  less  than  high  authority,  was  understood  by  me, 
*'sin  revived,"  accused  me  with  irresistible  evidence 
of  my  guilt,  ''and  1  died  ;"  all  my  hope  of  life  and 
salvation  from  my  obedience  vanished.  1  felt  mvself 
a  ruined  sinner  before  the  holy  law  of  God.  "And 
the  Commandment  which  was  ordained  to  life,"  ori- 
ginally designed  to  be  a  covenant  of  life  upon  per- 
fect obedience,  "1  found  to  be  unto  death."  So  far 
from  justifying  me,  that  it  annulled  every  plea  I  con- 
fided in  ;  set  aside  every  method  I  used  for  my  re- 
lief, and  condemned  me  to  death  eternal. 

Should  it  be  said  (for  what  will  not  men  say, 
rather  than  confess  all  their  misery  and  vileness?) 
that,  in  the  passage  above,  the  apostle  speaks  not 
in  his  own  person,  but  in  an  assumed  character :  In 
answer,  this  apostle  as  strongly  expresses  the  same 
truth  in  his  epistle  to  the  Galatians,  speaking  of 
himself,  as  was  never  doubted.  '4,  (says  he) 
through  the  law,  am  dead  to  the  law."  Understand- 
ing now  the  extent  of  its  demands,  and  the  grand 
design  for  which  it  was  ordamed,  not  to  justify  but 
condemn  every  soul  of  man )  I  have  done  with  all 
dependence  upon  it  to  acquit  me  from  guilt,  by  any 
obedience  1  can  pay,  "I  am  dead  to  the  law,  that  I 
might  live  unto  God,"  by  faith  in  his  Son. 

But  as  the  spirit  of  God  well  knew  there  would 
appear  in  all  ages  learned  men,  highly  conceited  of 
their  own  goodness,  who  would  confine  these  declar- 
ations to  the  Jewish  ceremonial  law,  in  order  to  leave 
room  for  self-exalting  ideas  of  Christian  obedience  ; 
to  expose  this  false  and  pernicious  construction,  the 
apostle  affirms  such  things  of  the  law  he  means,  as 
In  no  sense  belong  to  the  ceremonial  law.     For  the 


88  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

law  he  means,  is  given  to  stop  every  mouth,  and 
bring  in  the  whole  world  guilty  before  God.  Where- 
as the  ceremonial  one  will  never  condemn  the  Gen- 
tiles. He  means  a  law  which  faith  in  Christ  estah^ 
lishes^  the  same  faith  which  abolished  the  Jewish 
law.  To  the  law,  he  means,  believing  Romans 
were  dead  ;  but  many  of  them  in  no  degree  ever 
submitted  to  the  ceremonial  one.  The  law  he  means, 
the  man  who  obeys  shall  live,  "  and  if  the  uncircum- 
cision  keep  the  righteousness  thereof,  his  uncircum- 
cision  shall  be  counted  for  circumcision."  It  is  a  law 
which  is  spiritual,  whereas  the  Levitical  law  wholly 
consisted  of  ■  arnal  ordinances. 

There  is  not  one  of  these  properties  by  which  St. 
Paul  distinguishes  the  law  he  means,  which  can  with 
any  truth  be  applied  to  the  ceremonial  one  ;  there- 
fore, the  law  of  the  Ten  Commandments,  and  its 
grand  end,  conviction  of  sin,  can  only  be  intended 
in  this  epistle.  And,  after  such  various  testimonies, 
what  clearer  scripture  evidence  can  reasonably  be  de- 
manded in  proof  of  this  doctrine  ? 

Before  I  proceed  to  explain  the  other  grand  de- 
sign of  the  law,  viz.  of  bringing  sinners  to  seek  sal- 
vation by  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  it  will 
be  useful  to  make  some  observations  upon  the  inex- 
orable nature  of  the  law,  against  which  our  pride 
and  prejudice  are  ever  ready  to  rise  with  great  re- 
sentment. 

You  think  it  very  hard,  probably,  that  every  rea- 
sonable creature  of  God  should  be  under  this  law. 
But  can  less  than  perfect  love,  and  its  effect,  perfect 
obedience,  be  due  to  our  Maker  ?  Suppose  a  law 
given,  which  would  admit  of  imperfect  obedience : 
it  would  then  be  impossible  to  determine  what  is  sin, 
or  what  not ;  for  sin  is  the  transgression  of  the  law. 
But  if  the  law  itself  Avould  be  satisfied  with  sinceri- 
ty of  intention,  or  the  best  obedience  a  corrupted 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  .819 

Creature  could  pay  to  it,  then  how  could  any  trans- 
gression of  it  be  defined  ?  Since,  upon  this  supposi- 
tion, it  is  essential  to  the  law  to  admit  of  imperfec- 
tion and  sin,  under  the  notion  of  accepting  sincerity. 

Again,  could  we  justly  conclude,  that  God  would 
overlook  one  transgression  of  his  law,  why  not  more? 
Where  then  shall  we  stop  ?  Or  who  shall  say  how 
far  we  may,  or  may  not  go  widi  impunity  ?  And 
what  must  this  prove  in  the  end,  but  giving  man  a 
liberty  and  right  to  dispense  with  the  law  of  God  at 
pleasure,  and  in  effect  abrogate  the  whole  ? 

It  is  a  counsel,  therefore,  every  way  worthy  infinite 
wisdom,  to  publish  a  law,  the  perfect  representation 
of  God's  glorious  holiness,  annexing  to  every  trans- 
gression of  it  the  curse. 

If  you  say  this  is  giving  up  all  men  to  destruction 
without  exception,  you  quite  mistake  the  matter.  It 
is  indeed  to  prove  upon  them,  that  they  have  de- 
stroyed themselves,  and  can  find  salvation  only  in  the 
way  which  God  reveals.  For  as  he  requires  obedi- 
ence alike  at  all  times  :  and  as  scripture  affirms,  that 
every  act  of  disobedience  is  a  forfeiture  of  all  claim  to 
favor,  and  subjects  us  to  punishment ;  in  this  ex- 
tremity, what  must  wc  do  ?  Where  look  for  help  ? 
Can  we  say  to  God,  *'  Have  patience  with  me,  and 
I  will  pay  thee  all  ?"  Will  you  venture  your  soul 
upon  the  perfection  of  your  own  works  ?  You  dare 
not.  This,  you  see  at  once,  is  giving  yourself  up  to 
destruction.  Perhaps  you  will  fly  to  your  sincerity ^ 
concluding  that  God,  notwithstanding  the  confessed 
imperfections  of  your  obedience,  will  accept  you  for 
your  sincerity.  But  what  scripture  warrant  have 
you  to  say,  that  though  God  required  a  perfect  obe- 
dience to  his  law  at  one  time,  men  are  now  dischare- 
ed  from  that  obligation,  and  will  accept  at  their  hands, 
what  they  in  their  sincerity  offer  him,  though  it  be 
most  unworthy  of  his  acceptance,  and  far  beneath  the 


90  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

demands  of  his  perfect  law  ?  The  thought  is  heaven- 
daring  presumption,  without  esptcial  ground  fromi 
the  word  of  God,  where  you  will  certainly  find  none 
for  this  novel  and  mischievous  ophiion. 

Besides,  what  do  you  gain  by  it.  unless  you  could 
answer  for  your  sincerity  to  that  God,  whose  eyes 
are  as  a  flame  of  fire,  searching  the  heart?  For 
(mark  it  well)  if  you  oake  sinceritv  the  ground  of 
your  acceptance  with  Him,  you  must  stand  or  fall 
bv  it,  and,  on  pain  of  eternal  condemnation,  are 
olDliged  to  make  it  good,  without  failure  or  blemish. 
So  that  still  you  are  upon  no  foundation  for  life, 
solid  peace,  or  comfort. 

What  a  merciful  contrivance  therefore  is  the  law 
of  God,  as  a  ministration  of  condemnation  and  death. 
It  acts  like  an  engine  of  irresistible  force  to  sweep 
away  every  refuge  of  lies,  in  which  proud  man  would 
seek  for  safety  only  to  his  ruin.  It  compels  all,  who 
understand  and  hear  its  voice,  to  renounce  those 
false  and  foolish  pleas  for  obtaining  mercy,  which 
we  shall  be  ashamed  to  think  we  could  use,  so  soon 
as  the  light  of  truth  shines  into  our  hearts. 


SUNDAY  XII. 

CHAP.  XIL 

The  same  Subject  continued. 


W  E  have  already  considered  the  perfection  and 
the  extent  of  the  law.  We  have  taken  a  view  of  it, 
as  a  rule  determining  our  duty  in  all  cases.  We 
have  produced  scripture  evidence,  to  prove  it  was 
also  designed  to  humble  the  pride  of  man,  and  con- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  9i 

vince  him  of  his  sinfuhiess  and  ruin.  Its  use  ex. 
tends  still  forther,  by  acting  as  a  schoohnaster  to 
bring  to  Christ.  No  sooner  do  we  perceive  our- 
selves cut  off  from  every  hope  of  mercy,  which  we 
were  wont  to  entertain  in  conceit  of  our  goodness, 
innocence,  repentance,  or  sincerity,  than  we  shall 
flee  to  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  rejoice  in  the  grace 
of  God  manifested  by  him.  A  scheme  of  marvel- 
lous iove  to  man,  called  in  scripture,  "The  righte- 
ousness of  God  without  the  law,  which  is  by  faith  of 
Jesus  Christ,  unto  all,  and  upon  all  them  that  be- 
lieve. "  For  knowledge  of  the  law  alarms  the  con- 
science, before  asleep,  dreaming  of  peace  and  safety, 
when  there  was  no  peace.  Thus  alarmed,  the  ear  is 
opened  to  hear  the  word  of  reconciliation,  and  the 
heart  disposed  earnestly  to  apply  to  the  Redeemer, 
as  alone  able  to  save  from  die  insupportable  and  im- 
jxinding  misery,  the  curse  of  the  law.  R.^peated 
conflicts  arise  in  the  soul,  feeling  its  obligations,  on 
one  hand  to  obey  the  commandment  known  to  be 
holy,  just,  and  good ;  and  on  the  other,  its  own 
weakness  and  depravity.  Hear  in  what  an  affecting 
manner  St.  Paul  speaks  of  this  intestine  war  in  his  own 
case,  Rjm.  vii.  '.8.  "  For  I  know  that  in  me,  that 
is,  in  my  flesh,  dwelleth  no  good  thing;  for  to  will  is 
present  ^vith  me,  but  how  to  perform  [as  the  law  re- 
quires] that  which  is  good,  1  find  not ;  for  1  delight 
in  the  law  of  God  in  the  inner  man ;  but  I  see  ano- 
ther law  in  my  members  warring  against  the  law 
of  my  mind.''  In  odier  words,  1  j)erceive  two  con- 
trary principles  within  me,  one  of  God,  the  other  my 
corrupt  nature  ;  this  leading  me  forward  to  heaven, 
and  approving  the  spiritual  demands  of  the  law ; 
that  opposing  my  progress,  and  rendering  it  impos- 
sible for  me  to  fulfil  the  righteousness  of  the  law. 
My  soul  is  the  field  of  battle,  where  my  evil  nature 


92  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

continually  exerts  its  efforts  to  conquer.  In  this  casc^ 
what  must  be  done,  St.  Paul  instructs  us  by  his  own 
practice.  He  cries  out,  "O  wretched  man  that 
I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me  *  from  the  body  of  this 
death  ?"  And  then  raises  himself  from  every  des- 
ponding thought,  by  saying  /  tha?ik  God,  that  is  for 
his  grace,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  This, 
this  only  can  and  will  deliver  me.  So  then,  with 
the  mind  I  myself  serve  the  law  of  God,  but  with 
the  flesh  the  law  of  sin. 

The  law  of  God  is  designed  to  bring  all,  who  un- 
derstand its  nature  and  believe  its  high  authority, 
into  this  pungent  sensibility  of  their  own  sinfulness, 
that  they  may  feel,  what  otherwise  they  never  would, 
the  necessity  of  redemption,  and  see  its  glory  too  ; 
for  by  annexing  a  curse  to  the  least  breach  of  it, 
every  door  of  hope  is  shut  against  us,  excepting  that 
which  God  hath  proclaimed  in  the  Gospel.  The 
thunders  and  lightnings  from  mount  Sinai,  when  they 
sound  in  our  ears,  make  us  account  ourselves  un- 
speakably blessed,  in  being  allowed  access  to  mount 
Sion,  the  church  ransomed  by  the  blood  of  Christ. 
*'  For  the  scripture  hath  concluded  all  under  sin,  that 
the  promise,  which  is  by  faith  of  Jesus  Christ,  might 
be  given  to  them  that  believe,"  Gal.  iii.  22.  The 
apostle,  you  are  to  observe,  is  proving,  in  this  pas- 
sage, that  the  law,  of  which  the  Jews  made  their 
boast,  because  delivered  from  Heaven  to  them  alone, 
was  so  far  from  rendering  salvation  by  Christ  need' 
less,  or  interfering  with  the  grace  of  God,  that,  when 

*  In  anstrer  to  all  which  learned  men  (averse  to  the  doctrine 
of  p:reat  vilcness  in  the  best  Christians)  have  said  to  set  aside 
the  testimony,  it  is  fully  suilicient  to  say,  if  St.  Paul  did  realhj 
cfieak  in  his  own  person^  he  could  not  have  expressed  himself 
in  other  words — if  he  did  not,  he  is  the  first  and  only  man  on 
earth,  of  sense,  who  by  the  expression,  Imysctf-)  intended  ano- 
ther person. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  93 

understood,  it  strongly  acted  in  subserviency  to 
both.  Since,  so  great  are  our  natural  pride  and  self- 
sufficiency,  so  slight  our  thoughts  of  sin,  and  so  ex- 
travagant our  conceit  of  God's  mercy,  that  if  we  did 
not  perceive  ourselves  condemned,  by  the  mouth  of 
the  Lord,  to  suffer  eternal  death  for  our  transgres- 
sions, there  is  not  one  of  the  human  race  who  would 
cordially  submit  to  the  righteousness  of  God.  Not- 
withstanding every  divine  perfection  so  brightly  dis- 
played by  him  in  our  flesh,  and  all  the  pains  he  en- 
dured for  our  sins,  and  all  the  tender  love  he  has  ex- 
pressed for  our  souls,  there  is  not  one  of  the  human 
race  who  would  give  to  him  the  honor  of  their  sal- 
vation, unless  he  plainly  saw  he  must  have  perished 
without  him.  Our  Maker,  knowing  this  to  be  the 
proud  temper  of  man,  has  by  his  law  actually  shut 
us  up  in  prison,  as  rebels  against  his  government, 
under  a  total  niability  of  making  reparation  for  our 
treason.  He  hath  done  this,  that  our  haughty  spirit 
being  humbled  through  experience  of  our  condem- 
nation, we  might  with  thankfulness  and  adoration 
embrace  salvation  by  the  free  grace  of  God,  through 
the  redemption  which  is  in  Jesus. 

One  passage  more  I  will  produce,  full  of  instruc- 
tion, and  decisive  upon  this  important  subject.  The 
apostle  is  establishing  the  grand  privilege  of  Christ's 
church  :  ''  There  is  now  no  condemnation  to  them 
that  are  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  walk  not  after  the  flesh, 
but  after  the  Spirit."  To  this  truth,  he  knew,  many 
would  object.  They  would  say,  how  is  this  possi- 
ble ?  since  every  believer  falls  short  of  perfect  obe- 
dience, oftends  against  the  law,  consequently  must 
be  liable  to  its  curse.  He  answers,  Believers  are  de- 
livered from  condemnation,  by  a  new  dispensation, 
introduced  in  the  room  of  the  old  law,  which  prom- 
ises and  bestows  pardon,  and  the  gift  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  the  true  life  of  the  soul ;  *'  for  the  law  of  the 


94  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

spirit  of  life,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  hath  mademc 
free  from  the  law  of  sin  and  death  :''  that  law  v\  hich 
convinced  me  of  shi,  and  doomed  me  to  sufter  death. 
Glad  tidings  indeed !  But  does  not  this  procedure 
deprive  the  law  of  its  due  honor,  and  skrten  the  of- 
fender from  his  deserved  punishment  ?  B}  no  mea;  s. 
*'  For  what  the  law  could  not  do,  in  diat  it  was  wtak 
through  the  flesh,  God  (to  whom  nothing  is  impos- 
sible,  has  most  wonderfully  accomplished,  b}  )  bend* 
ing  his  own  Son  in  the  likeness  of  sintui  flesh,  to  live 
among  sinners, ''  to  perform  the  perfect  obeditnce 
due  from  them,  "  and  for  sin"  condemned  sin  in  the 
flesh,  charged  and  punished  it  with  the  utm.ost 
severity  in  the  very  nature  which  was  guiltv,  disa- 
bled, and  ruined.  By  this  amazingly  grand  expe- 
dient, he  has  provided  for  the  honor,  and  accomplish- 
ed the  obedience  due  to  the  law.  Ail  this  was  done 
to  lay  the  surest  foundation,  and  make  the  com- 
pletest  provision  for  our  justification:  "That  the 
righteousness  of  the  law,"  both  its  righteous  sen- 
tence and  precept,  whatever  either  of  suffering  or 
obedience  it  required,  being  fulfilled  by  Christ, 
''might  be  fulfilled  in  us.*'  As  it  was  nil  done  in 
our  name,  and  as  He  and  believers  are  one  in  civil 
estimation,  for  he  is  their  representative ;  and  one 
in  legal  estimation,  for  he  is  their  surety  :  theirs  who 
walk  not  after  the  flesh,  seeking  justification  before 
God  by  their  own  righteousness,  but,  in  all  humility 
and  gratitude,  receive  eternal  life,  as  the  gift  of  God, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  Rom.  viii.  2 — 4. 

You  have  had  now  placed  before  you  the  scrip- 
tural account  of  the  nature  and  design  of  the  law. 
Nothing  but  pride,  and  the  doctrines  of  men  cal- 
culated to  sooth  that  worst  disease  of  our  minds, 
can  prevent  your  acknowledging,  that  the  law  is  a 
divine  contrivance,  equally  promoting  the  honor  of 
Gcd,  and  your  o\\m  comfort  in  serving  him.     Since 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OV  MAK.  95 

whilst  it  allows  no  palliating  excuses  to  diminish  the 
cvii  of  sin,  or  flatter  our  self-love,  it  opens  a  way  of 
salvation  exactly  suited  to  our  very  imperfect  state ; 
it  endears  Christ  to  the  soul,  and  magnifies  and  ex- 
alts to  the  highest  degree  the  imputation  of  his  right- 
eousness, a  special  mercy  of  the  new  covenant.  I 
shah  conchide,  therefore,  this  chapter,  with  a  full 
confutation  of  a  popular  mistake  of  great  influence 
on  many,  keeping  them  in  their  prejudices  against 
the  law,  and  from  acknowledging  the  impossibility 
of  being  saved  from  its  curse,  only  by  Christ  Jesus, 

It  is  objected,  then,  that  to  teach  men  they  are 
accepted  of  God,  solely  on  account  of  the  obedience 
which  our  Lord  paid  to  it  in  his  life  and  death,  will 
weaken  the  obligations  we  are  under  to  lead  a  holy 
life.  1  answer,  it  may,  no  doubt,  be  thus  abused, 
and  from  the  beginning  has  been  by  many.  But 
what  is  it  men  have  not  most  basely  perverted  ?  In 
what  light  will  you  place  the  patience  and  mercy  of 
God,  to  render  them  less  liable  to  licentious  abuse? 
But,  on  this  account,  will  you  be  jealous  of  those 
perfections  as  prejudical  to  practical  religion  ?  Or 
will  you  deny  them,  because  of  their  supposed  bad 
tendency  ?  The  thought  is  dreadful,  and  the  conse- 
quence universal  destruction.  It  is  just  the  same 
with  the  doctrine  of  the  law,  inferring  the  absolute 
necessity  of  being  saved  only  by  what  the  Redeemer 
has  done,  and  suflfered.  Act  in  the  same  manner 
with  respect  to  both  ;  maintain  the  doctrines,  detest 
and  expose  the  abuse  of  them. 

Besides,  what  will  you  gain  in  favor  of  practical 
religion,  by  giving  up  this  scriptural  account  of  the 
law  ?  You  will  only  set  men  at  liberty  to  frame  a 
law  of  their  own,  as  in  fact  they  do,  subversive  of 
all  fear  and  love  of  God,  or  subjection  to  his  autho- 
rity. But  that  the  scripture  doctrine  of  the  law  as  a 
ministration  of  death,  compelling  us  to  flee  to  the 


96  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

Redeemer  for  pardon  and  spiritual  life,  has  any  bad 
tendency,  is  utterly  denied  by  the  apostles,  and  all 
who  liold  the  truth  as  they  did.  Shall  we  continue 
in  sin,  that  grace  may  abound  ?  Do  we  then  make 
void  the  law  by  faith  ?  Yea,  we  establish  the  law. 
This  is  their  constant  reply  to  all  who  arraign  the 
doctrine  as  licentious.  Indeed  it  is  chosen,  and  found 
by  experience  the  only  successful  means  of  turning 
the  heart  to  God  in  love.  Its  genuine  operation  is 
to  bind  us  to  him  in  everlasting  bonds  of  gratitude, 
and  willing  obedience.  It  says,  know  your  guilt 
and  weakness,  your  desert  and  danger  ;  think  what 
you  are  bound  to  by  the  law,  and  what  must  be  your 
end,  if  left  under  its  power ;  then  view  the  loving- 
kindness  of  God,  in  giving  his  own  Son  to  fulfil  all 
righteousness.  Is  it  possible  to  sin  against  so  much 
goodness  ?  Granting  it  is,  you  must  allow  such  a 
representation  both  of  the  justice  and  mercy  of  God 
(if  any  thing  as  a  means  can)  will  awake  in  men  a 
thought  of  returning  to  God,  bend  their  stubborn 
will,  and  make  them  hate  iniquity. 

Most  unreasonable,  therefore,  is  it  to  charge  this 
doctrine  with  condemning  all  men  to  destruction, 
who  will  not  confess  their  sinfulness,  and  seek  to  be 
saved  through  faith  in  Christ  only,  as  a  doctrine 
which  relaxes  the  obligations  to  obedience,  or  in  any 
degree  favours  licentiousness. 


eOMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  §7^ 

SUNDAY  XIII. 

CHAP.  XIII. 


^riie  dangerous  Mistakes,  which,  through  Ignorance  of  the 
Law,  govern  our  Minds. 


If  you  know  not  the  perfection,  nature,  and  end 
of  the  law,  you  will  fatally  mistake  your  real  charac- 
ter  before  God.  For  if  you  have  fallen  into  no  in- 
famous transgressions^  but  been  esteemed  for  your 
regular  conduct,  how  can  you  confess  yourself  a 
condemned  criminal,  merely  because  you  have  come 
short  in  duty,  or  have  offended  in  many  points,  of 
little  moment  in  the  opinion  of  the  world  ?  For  as 
the  knowledge  that  judgment  is  come  upon  all  men 
to  condemnation,  is  only  by  the  law;  of  conse- 
quence, unless  you  allow  sinless  perfection  your 
bounden  duty,  and,  on  failure,  your  doom,  death, 
you  cannot  appear  in  your  own  eyes,  what  you  are 
in  the  sight  of  God,  a  lost  sinner.  Far  from  it, 
especially  if  you  have  had  some  sense  of  duty  to- 
wards God,  and  refrained  from  sins  common  at  your 
age  and  condition  of  life,  then  ignorance  of  the  law 
will  leave  you  under  a  fatal  conceit  of  being  safe. 
You  will  think  all  calls  to  repentance,  addressed  to 
those  who  have  given  themselves  up  to  vices,  from 
which  you  have  been  always  free — or  to  those  who 
have  never  led  the  innocent  life  from  their  youth  up, 
which,  in  your  own  opinion,  you  have  done.  This 
delicious  self- flattery  will  excite  bitter  resentment 
against  all  attempts  to  make  you  know  yourself, 
and  bring  you  before  God  with  true  humiliation  and 
faith  in  his  Son.  Every  thing  of  this  kind  will  kindle 
your  indignation,  as  a  cruel  design  to  wound  your 

N 


^t  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

peace,  and  a  very  unjust  charge  of  wickedness  upon 
you. 

The  force  of  so  fatal  an  error  will  pervert  also  the 
advantages  of  a  good  education,  the  blessing  of 
God's  restraining  grace,  and  make  even  that  virtu- 
ous behaviour,  which  has  gained  you  esteem,  prove 
a  greater  obstacle  in  the  way  of  our  salvation  than 
even  gross  wickedness  proves  to  many ;  for  gross 
wickedness  carries  its  own  condemnation  with  it. 
It  has  a  tendency,  on  the  first  lucid  interval  to  ex- 
cite confession  of  guilt,  and  cries  for  mercy.  Where- 
as abehaviour  more  regulated  by  the  commandments, 
when  the  law  is  not  understood,  does  but  minister 
fuel  to  self-sufficiency,  and  self  applause.  Hence 
we  read  continually  of  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees 
justifying  themselves.  Many  of  them  were  very 
regular  in  their  lives,  decent,  and  formally  religious. 
Therefore,  being  ignorant  of  the  law,  they  could  see 
no  need  they  had  either  of  repentance,  or  his  grace 
who  came  to  save  that  which  was  lost.  Exactly  in 
the  same  f  tlse  estimate  of  your  condition,  you  must 
continue  through  the  same  ignorance,  and  eitlier  au- 
daciously contradict  scripture  declarations  concern- 
ing the  guilt  and  apostasy  of  the  human  race,  or  equi- 
vocate about  them,  till  you  have  reduced  them  to  a 
mere  nothing. 

On  the  contrary,  when,  in  the  apostle's  emphati- 
cal  language,  ''  the  commandment  has  slain  you," 
you  will  confess,  without  hesitation,  all  your  sinful- 
ness. And  whatever  snares  you  may  have  escaj>ed 
by  good  education,  or  restraints  of  grace,  and  what- 
ever esteem  you  have  gained  amongbt  men,  still  you 
will  know  these  advantages  alter  not  }  our  state  re- 
specting God.  Though  innocent  of  those  iniquities 
which  abound  in  the  world,  you  are  nevertheless  a 
transgressor,  justly  liable  to  eternal  punisiinier •.  if 
dealt  with  according  to  your  deserts.     Happy  con- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  99 

viction  of  guilt,  discharging  in  the  conscience,  the 
Bctptisl's  beneficent  office  of  old,  preparing  the  way 
of  the  Lord,  and  rendering  his  name  and  salvation 
inestimably  precious. 

2.  Ignorance  of  the  law  encourages  hateful  mo- 
tives of  obedience.  By  creation  the  blessed  God  has 
an  indefeasible  claim  to  all  we  have,  and  our  entire 
subjection.  This  claim  he  has  enforced  by  express 
comiuand  in  all  things  to  obey  him.  He  has  added 
also  the  strongest  commendations  of  an  obedient  spi- 
rit, and  promised  to  it  an  everlasting  reward.  But 
a  most  ungrateful  perversion  is  too  generally  made 
of  these  gracious  declarations  and  promiiies,  till  the 
law  is  understood;  and  what  obedience  is  paid  to 
the  commandments,  is  paid  upon  principles,  which 
render  it  odious  in  God's  sight.  For  instance,  some 
regard  the  precepts  enjoining  liberality,  and  will 
feed  the  hungry,  and  clothe  the  naked,  and  rejoice 
the  widow's  heart,  in  order  to  atone  for  sensuality, 
saying,  *' Blessed  are  the  merciful,  for  they  shall  ob- 
tain mercy."  Others  are  conscientiously  true  to  their 
word,  and  faithful  to  all  their  engagements;  flatter- 
ing themselves,  that  such  integrity  will  make  pride 
and  profaneness  in  them  easily  overlooked  as  venial 
infirmities  :  for  the  righteous  Lord,  sav  they,  loveth 
righteousness,  and  a  just  weight  is  his  delight.  A 
third  and  worse  sort,  if  possible,  multiply  exercises 
of  devotion  in  commutation  for  justice  and  insin- 
cerity, malice,  and  covetousness,  confiding  in  all  the 
promises  made  to  prayer  and  godliness. 

From  such  hateful  motives  does  that  morality,  hu- 
manity, and  false  devotion,  of  which  thousands  are 
so  conceited,  spring.  Notions,  which  prove  they 
have  no  sense  of  the  sinfulness  of  sin  upon  their 
minds,  which  sooth  their  pride,  by  exalting  the 
value  of  polluted  obedience,  and  which  even  en- 
courage^ transgression,  by  supposing  we  have  it  in 


leo  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

our  power  to  make  compensation  for  it.  Yet,  offen- 
sive to  God  as  this  mistake  is,  nothing  can  overturn 
the  foundation  which  supports  it,  but  knowledge  of 
the  law,  which,  denouncing  a  curse  on  every  thing 
short  of  sinless  perfection,  leaves  no  ground  for  this 
vain  imagination.  By  rejecting  with  dreadful  men- 
aces all  human  attempts  to  atone  for  a  single  viola- 
tion of  dut}^  it  leaves  no  possibility  of  dreaming  that 
obedience  in  some  or  many  instances  can  make  satis- 
faction for  the  want  of  it  in  others.  It  compels  the 
little  sinner  to  confess  himself  insolvent  no  less  than 
the  greatest;  and  that  nothing  can  administer  relief 
in  his  case,  which  is  not  equal  to  the  demands  of  the 
law,  and  will  not  be  accepted  by  it,  i,  e,  the  right- 
'eousness  and  blood  of  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 

3.  Though  you  may  possibly  be  free  from  the 
gross  and  common  error  of  fancying  some  sins  will 
be  overlooked  in  the  blaze  of  many  virtues,  still, 
through  ignorance  of  the  law,  you  will  impiously 
conceit  that  your  personal  righteousness,  and  Christ's 
obedience,  have  equally  w^eight  with  God,  act  in 
the  same  capacity,  and,  by  their  joint  influence,  pro- 
cure your  salvation.  Many,  in  fact,  under  a  strong 
sense  of  religion,  do  thus  dangerously  deceive  them- 
selves. They  endeavour  to  do  their  duty  in  morti- 
fying their  lusts,  and  leading  a  devout  life.  On  this 
account,  though  confessedly  guilty  in  many  points, 
their  own  goodness,  they  are  confident,  will  contri- 
bute to  recommend  them  to  God ;  and  what  is  want- 
ing, the  merits  of  Christ  will  make  up.  Of  conse- 
quence, so  long  as  they  fall  into  no  gross  sin,  but 
continue  regular,  honest,  and  attentive  to  religion, 
they  are  satisfied  they  have  done  their  part,  and  that 
such  Avorth  is  in  their  sincere,  though  imperfect 
obedience,  as  will  procure  them  acceptance  with 
God. 

This  refined  error,  unsuspected  of  danger,  keeps; 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  101 

full  possession  of  the  mind,  till  swept  away  by  know- 
ledge of  the  law.     Yet  no  error  can  abound  more 
with  self-contradiction,  or  affront  to  God.  With  pal- 
pable self-contradiction,  since  it  supposes,  that  at  the 
very  time  you  confess  yourself  under  the  guilt  of 
sin,  for  many  omissions  and  defects,  there  can  be 
still  excellency  enough  about  you  to  obtain  favor 
with  God :  that  even  whilst  conscience  accuses,  and 
the  law  condemns  you  as  a  sinner,  your  righteous- 
ness will  have  considerable  influence  in  making  re- 
conciliation for  you.   Palpable  contradiction  I  to  con- 
fess yourself  guilty,  and  implore  pardon,  yet  expect 
to  be  favorably  regarded  for  your  works  and  life. 
To  implore  pardon,   implies  that  you  cast  yourself 
at  the  feet  of  mercy,  without  any  plea,   but  what  is 
drawn  entirely  from  God.     To  trust  at  all  in  your 
own  obedience,  as  a  coadjutor  with  Christ,  certainly 
implies  a  high  degree  of  worth  in  what  proceeds 
from  yourself 

Besides,  by  holding  this  error,  your  affront  to 
God,  is  as  notorious  as  the  contradiction  in  which 
it  involves  you.  According  to  this  scheme,  the 
glorious  Redeemer  undertook  our  ransom  only  to 
render  our  deficient  duties  meritorious,  and  our  sins 
inoffensive.  His  life,  sacrifice,  and  mediatorial  un- 
dertakings, serve  only  as  a  pedestal  on  which  human 
worth  may  stand  exalted  and  recommended.  Ac- 
cording to  this  scheme,  the  pardon  of  rebels  against 
the  Most  High,  and  the  reception  of  leprous  sinners 
into  the  bosom  of  Heaven  (effects  great  indeed-') 
are  owing  to  the  work  of  our  own  hands,  and  the 
virtues  of  our  own  character,  in  conjunction  with 
Christ. 

.  Can  a  greater  affront  be  offered  to  that  divine 
goodness,  which  interposed  to  save  us,  when  we 
were  lost,  than  thus  to  divide  the  cause  of  our  ac- 
ceptance between  Christ  and  ourselves?  What  more 


102  COMPLETE  DITTY  OF  MAN. 

daring  opposition  to  God  the  Father,  who  hath 
given  Christ  for  his  salvation  to  the  ends  of  the 
earth,  than  to  trust  in  our  own  obedience  as  having 
a  partial  influence  to  procure  it  for  ourselves?  What 
more  plain  denial  of  scripture,  which  appropriates 
the  salvation  of  sinners,  from  first  to  last,  to  the 
praise  of  the  glory  of  God's  grace  in  Christ  Jesus  ? 
Compare  this  self-exalting  doctrine  with  Isaiah's 
sublime  account  of  the  combat  and  conquest  of  the 
Redeemer,  and  then  conclude  how  injurious  to  his 
honor  it  must  be,  to  confide  in  your  own  works  as 
coadjutors  with  him. 

The  prophet,  in  surprise  at  the  appearance  of  a 
most  majestic  personage,  asks,  *'  Who  is  this  that 
Cometh  from  Edom,  with  dved  srarments  from  Boz- 
rah  ?"  from  the  country  and  capital  of  the  in  <  placa- 
ble foes  to  the  Israel  of  God.  Hie  Rt  deemer  re- 
plies, "1  that  speak  in  righteousness,  mighty  to 
save."  The  prophet  then  renews  his  inquiry, 
*^  Wherefore  [if  thou  art  come  not  to  destroy,  but 
save]  art  thou  red  in  thine  apparel,  and  thy  garments 
like  him  that  treadeth  in  the  wine- fat  ?"  The  Re- 
deemer answers,  "  I  have  trodden  the  wine-press  by 
myself  alone."  Infinitely  too  great  in  my  power  to 
want  an  associate,  and  infinitely  too  jealous  of  my 
honor  to  accept  of  any  assistant ;  *'  of  the  people 
there  was  none  with  me  :"  the  salvation  of  sinners  is 
my  act  alone  in  every  part ;  yours  be  all  the  benefit, 
mine  the  whole  glory,  Isa.  Ixiii.  I — 3. 

The  inspired  penmen  uniformly  teach  the  same 
doctrine.  Yet  so  pleasing  to  the  human  heart  is  the 
thought  of  assuming  a  share  to  ourselves  in  the  grand 
affair  of  our  salvation,  that  nothing  but  the  know- 
ledge of  God's  law  can  make  the  attempt  appear  in 
its  full  absurdity  and  provocation.  This  indeed  will, 
because  it  fixes  with  the  greatest  exactness  the  ofiice 
of  good  works,  and  the  place  of  human  obedience^ 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  103 

The  law  will  not  suffer  you  to  consider  the  most  con- 
scientious course  of  obedience  in  any  other  light, 
than  as  a  proof  that  you  believe,  with  godly  sincer- 
ity, the  delightful  truth,  that  Jesus  purged  away  your 
sins  by  the  sacrifice  of  himself;  for  which  inestima- 
ble benefit,  you  love  him,  you  keep  his  command- 
ments, you  abhor  those  sins  which  caused  him  to 
groan,  and  bleed,  and  die. 

To  think  and  live  thus  is  Christian  obedience,  of 
a  quite  different  complexion  from  what  every  other 
kind  of  religion  can  produce.  This  is  to  use  the 
law  lawfully,  not  as  interfering  with  the  Redeemer, 
or  shading  his  glory,  by  encouraging  expectation  of 
life  from  keeping  the  commandments,  but  as  a  clear 
revelation  of  the  infinite  demerit  of  sin,  and  the  ab- 
solute need  of  Christ's  interposition,  ''  who  is  the 
end  of  the  law  for  righteousness,  to  every  one  that 
believeth." 

4.  Self-preference  and  conceit  of  personal  perfec- 
tion in  the  saints,  maintain  their  ground  in  men 
ignorant  of  God's  law.  The  slightest  observer  of 
human  nature  will  soon  perceive  our  ruling  passion 
is,  to  have  the  pre-eminence  in  all  things.  Hence, 
not  only  beauty,  wealth,  learning,  or  noble  birth,  but 
even  spiritual  attainments,  become  strong  tempta- 
tions to  pride.  Of  old,  we  find  a  numerous  piu-ty 
amongst  the  Jews,  conscious  of  their  superior  good- 
ness, crying  out,  *'  Stand  by  thyself,  come  not  near 
to  me,  for  I  am  holier  than  thou,"  Isa.  Ixv.  5. 

The  same  persons  judged  it  impossible  the  chief 
of  sinners  should  be  pardoned,  and  treated  them 
with  disdain.  That  proud  spirit  is  not  extinct,  but 
governs  many  at  this  day,  who  stand  distinguished 
for  strict  religion.  To  purge  out  this  leaven  of  the 
Pharisees,  the  law  is  of  sovereign  use.  To  tell 
those  who  highly  esteem  themselves  for  their  reli- 
gious excellencies^  that  they  owe  thenx  all  to  God,  is 


in  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

not  sufficient.  The  Pharisees  allowed  it,  yet  took 
much  complacency  in  themselves  on  that  very  ac- 
count. Neither  is  it  sufficient  to  remind  them,  that 
many  blemishes  cleave  to  and  defile  their  best  ser- 
vices, so  that  they  have  no  pretensions  to  self-esteem. 
For  these  things  they  will  place  to  the  score  of  hu- 
man infirmities,  still  proudly  dwelling,  in  their  own 
minds,  on  the  manifest  difference  betwixt  themselves 
and  others.  But  when  you  lay  the  axe  to  the  root 
of  this  evil  tree,  when  you  convince  such  self- con- 
ceited  professors,  that  after  all  they  have  received 
or  done,  they  are  not  only  imperfect,  but  lost,  if 
dealt  with  according  to  their  deserts  ;  since  they,  no 
more  than  the  vilest  felon,  can  say  they  have  con- 
tinued in  all  things  written  in  the  book  of  the  law, 
consequently  they  have  incurred  its  curse  ;  and  per- 
petually w^ant,  as  much  as  any  upon  earth,  the  blood 
and  righteousness  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  their 
justification. 

Thus  self-esteem  and  self-preference,  in  every 
state,  and  in  every  soul  of  man,  is  excluded.  Since, 
whatever  difference  there  may  be  between  sinners, 
respecting  degrees  of  guilt  or  excellency,  the  law 
suffers  no  man  living  to  imagine  he  stands  accepted 
with  his  Maker,  on  account  of  his  own  good  life  or 
temper. 

5.  The  conceit  of  personal  perfection  also  in  the 
saints  (that  offspring  of  spiritual  pride)  is  owing  in 
part  to  ignorance  of  the  law.  For  such  polluted 
creatures  as  we  are,  after  our  highest  attainments, 
could  never  possibly  dream  wc  were  free  from  all 
charge  of  sin,  if  we  knew  the  full  extent  of  our 
duty,  what,  in  every  instance,  and  on  all  occasions, 
the  law  requires  :  that  we  are  commanded  not  only 
to  serve  the  Lord,  but  to  serve  him  with  all  our 
vStrength ;  not  only  to  love  our  neighbour,  but  to 
love  him  as  ourselves,  and  de7nonstrate  we  do  both 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  !f5 

by  every  word,  desire,  temper,  and  thought :  In 
short,  that  it  requires  us  to  live  up  to  the  very 
height  of  that  adorable  example  set  before  us  in 
the  man  Christ  Jesus,  and  be  to  the  full  as  holy  as 
he  was  himself,  since  he  only  fulfilled  the  perfect 
law :  Who  can  know  this,  and  say  there  is  no  ini- 
quity in  me  ?  Who  can  know  this,  and  not  readily 
acquiesce  in  that  very  humbling  confession  inspired 
by  the  Holy  Ghost.  *'  There  is  not  a  just  man  upon 
earth,  that  liveth  and  sinneth  not  ?  If  thou.  Lord, 
shouldst  mark  iniquity,  who  shall  stand  ?  But  there 
is  forgiveness  with  thee  [equally  needed  by  every 
child  of  Adam]  that  thou  mayest  be  feared." 

From  what  has  been  advanced,  it  is  evident,  if  you 
desire  to  be  a  believer  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
upon  rational  and  sound  conviction,  you  must  ac- 
quaint yourself  with  the  nature  and  design  of  the 
law  God  spake  from  mount  Sinai,  as  explained  and 
enforced  in  Holy  Writ.  Then,  like  a  faithful  mir- 
ror, it  will  give  you  to  see  all  your  poverty  and  sin- 
fulness. It  will  make  the  mercy  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus  appear  as  great,  and  necessary,  and  glorious, 
as  the  Bible  declares  it  is.  Then  you  will  live  by 
faith  in  the  Son  of  God,  pleading,  with  all  humility 
at  the  throne  of  grace,  his  sacrifice  and  perfect  right- 
eousness, the  sure  and  only  foundation  of  hope  to- 
wards  God. 

And  as  a  son,  who,  through  folly  and  extreme 
baseness  of  mind,  has  brought  himself  into  a  state 
of  disease  and  ruin,  duly  affected  whh  his  condition, 
will  most  thankfully  acknowledge  the  kindness  of 
his  loving  parent,  who,  notwithstanding  all,  re- 
ceives him  home,  and  embraces  him  with  love  un- 
feigned :  So,  the  sight  of  your  own  sinfulness,  man- 
ifested by  the  law,  will  'excite  in  you  intense  de- 
sires to  live  to  God,  who  had  compassion  on  you, 
and  loved  your  person,  when  notone  single  feature 

0 


1#«  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

of  comeliness  was  about  you,  and,  in  the  midst  of 
much  inherent  depravity,  loves  you  still.  Thus 
those  two  universal  and  mighty  principles  of  diso- 
bedience, self-conceit,  and  self-esteem,  will  be  ex- 
pelled, and  a  rational  humility,  the  excellent  ground 
of  every  fruit  of  righteousness,  will  be  secured. 
Convinced,  beyond  a  doubt,  that  if  judgment  be 
laid  to  the  line,  and  you  were  called  upon  to  answer 
in  every  article  of  duty,  according  to  what  you  owe, 
you  must  be  found  exceedingly  wanting ;  you  wiU 
adore,  love,  and  obey  him,  who  hath  redeemed  you 
from  the  curse  of  ^hc  law,  by  being  made  a  curse  for 
you^  to  an  eiernai  inheritance. 


PRAYER, 

Suited  to  the  preceding  Chapters  on  the  Law. 

O  GOD,  glorious  in  holiness,  jealous  of  thy 
honor,  yet  full  of  mercy.  Thou  hast  given  us  a  law 
holy  as  thyself.  Give  us,  we  beseech  thee,  the 
knowledge  of  its  perfection  and  design,  that  we  may 
utterly  cease  from  every  expectation  of  escaping  the 
punishment  due  to  our  transgression  by  our  obedi- 
ence. O  let  the  time  past  suffice  to  have  been  so 
long  alive  without  the  law.  Now  may  we  place  all 
our  hope  of  acceptance  with  thee,  on  that  sure  foun- 
dation thou  hast  laid  in  Sion,  on  that  tried  chief  cor- 
ner-stone, the  crucified  Jesus.  O  may  this  great, 
this  only  fulfiller  of  the  law,  be  always  our  peace, 
our  righteousness,  all  our  salvation,  and  all  our  de- 
sire. Him  may  we  love  and  serve  :  and  always  re- 
joice, knowing,  that  whilst  the  righteousness  of  the 
law  saith,  the  man  who  doth  these  things  shall  live 
by  them,  the  righteousness  of  faith  saith,  if  thou 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  107 

shalt  confess  with  thy  mouth,  the  Lord  Jesus,  and 
sh:ilt  believe  in  thy  heart  that  God  hath  raised  him 
from  the  dead,  thou  shalt  be  saved. 

Aad  the  nearer  the  all-decisive  hour  approaches, 
when  we  must  give  account  of  ourselves  to  God,  so 
much  the  more  may  we  long  to  be  found,  not  under 
the  law,  but  under  grace  ;  not  having  our  own 
righteousness,  which  is  of  the  law,  but  that  which 
is  through  the  faith  of  Christ,  the  righteousness 
which  is  of  God  by  faith  ;  that,  to  the  confusion  of 
all  the  enemies  of  our  souls,  it  may  appear,  in  the 
presence  of  men  and  angels,  that  we  are  passed  from 
death  to  life,  and  shall  not  come  into  condemnation. 

We  beseech  thee,  O  God,  to  have  compassion 
upon  all  who  have  religious  zeal,  but  without  know- 
ledge ;  who  being  ignorant  of  thy  righteousness,  arc 
going  about  to  establish  their  own,  and  have  not  sub- 
mitted themselves  to  the  righteousness  of  God. 
Give  them  to  know,  they  never  can  find  peace  or 
safety  upon  any  foundation  they  can  lay  with  their 
own  hands  ;  for  die  bed  is  shorter  than  that  a  man 
can  stretch  himself  upon  it,  and  the  covering  nar- 
rower than  that  he  can  wrap  himself  in  it.  Lead 
them  to  the  Rock  that  is  higher  than  themselves,  to 
the  Lord  our  righteousness. 

Finally,  we  entreat,  that  thou  wouldst  convert 
from  their  pernicious  error,  all  who  wrest  the  infi- 
nite purity  of  thy  law,  to  their  own  destruction  : 
who  not  only  reject  it  as  a  covenant  of  works, 
but  as  a  rule  of  life  ;  who,  in  their  mad  and  impious 
folly,  despise  and  deride  that  holiness,  without 
which  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord.  Teach  them, 
that  the  law  is  good,  if  a  man  use  it  lawfully.  Con- 
vince them,  that  all  who  are  dead  to  the  law,  by  the 
body  of  Christ,  are  married  to  another,  even  to  him 
that  is  raised  from  the  dead,  that  they  should  bring 
forth  fruit  unto  God. 

Hear  and  answer,  O  King  of  Heaven,    these  our 


10S  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

requests,  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous^ 
our  advocate,  and  the  propitiation  for  our  sins. 
Amen. 


SUNDAY  XIV. 

CHAP.  XIV. 

Faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  ascertained  from 
Scripture  Testimony. 

IN  almost  every  page  of  scripture,  excellent  things 
are  spoken  of  the  power  of  faith.  And  whatever 
some  may  boast  of  their  shining  deeds,  and  merito- 
rious virtues,  extolled  for  their  good  effects  in  soci- 
ety ;  still,  so  long  as  the  authority  of  the  Bible  re- 
mains, it  is  a  decided  point,  that  to  be  without 
faith  in  Christ,  is  to  be  actually  exposed  to  the 
wrath  of  God. 

Every  one,  therefore,  ought  most  carefully  to  in- 
form himself  what  is  the  nature  of  this  fundamental 
grace.  The  plainest  and  shortest  method  to  deter- 
mine so  important  a  matter,  I  apprehend,  will  be  to 
ascertain  what  they  did,  who  are  highly  commended 
by  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  for  their  faith  in  him,  and 
in  what  they  offended,  whom  he  rebuked  for  their 
unbelief.  When  these  two  points  are  fixed,  the 
nature  of  faith  will  be  so  far  laid  open,  as  to  pre- 
vent erroneous  opinions  concerning  it ;  and  deliver 
serious  minds  from  that  perplexity,  which,  amidst 
continual  disputes  about  faith,  they  find  it  difficult 
to  avoid. 

The  first  example,  I  shall  select,  to  determine 
preciselv  the  nature  of  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
is  the  Centurion,  mentioned.  Malt.  viii.     Warmed 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  10& 

with  benevolence,  and  touched  with  sympathy  for 
an  afflicted  servant  in  his  own  family,  he  earnestly 
applied  to  the  Redeemer,  begging  him  to  take  pity 
on  the  case,  and  heal  his  servant,  whom  he  had  left 
grievously  tormented  with  the  palsy.  The  faith 
which  inspired  this  request,  though  perfectly  known 
to  Jesus,  was  not  to  the  surrounding  multitude. 
They  could  not  say,  whether  he  might  not  come, 
glad,  as  one  in  a  desperate  case,  to  catch  at  any 
thing  for  relief.  Our  Lord,  therefore,  replies  to  him 
in  such  a  manner,  as  he  knew  would  bring  forth  full 

Eroof  of  his  faith  :  ''  He  saith,  I  will  come  and  heal 
im."  But  the  amiable  modesty  of  this  great  be- 
liever will  not  suffer  him  to  think  of  the  honor  of 
receiving  such  a  guest  under  his  roof.  He  answers, 
therefore,  that  it  was  wholly  unnecessary  for  Jesus 
to  trouble  himself  ''  to  come  ;  Speak  the  word  only, 
and  my  servant  shall  be  healed."  Adding,  that  he 
was  not  less  assured  of  Christ's  power  over  all  bodily 
diseases,  both  to  inflict  and  remove  them  at  his 
pleasure,  than  of  his  own  authority  to  command  his 
soldiers. 

*'  When  Jesus  heard  it,  he  marvelled  :"  at  the  in- 
finitely grand  and  just  idea,  which  this  Roman  cap- 
tain conceived  of  his  power,  who  was  in  outward 
appearance  the  poorest  of  men.  To  make  his  faith, 
therefore,  most  conspicuous  through  all  ages,  and  at 
the  same  time  precisely  define  the  nature  of  faith, 
by  which  every  member  of  the  church  is  sa\'ed, 
"  Jesus  said  unto  them  that  followed,  Verily  I  say 
unto  you,  I  have  not  found  so  great  faith,  no,  not  in 
Israel.  And  I  say  unto  you,  many  shall  come  from 
the  East  and  the  West  [partakers  of  the  same  pre- 
cious faith  you  now  see  exercised  towards  me]  and 
shall  sit  down  with  Abraham,  and  Isaac,  and  Jacob, 
in  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

But  the  iaith  of  this  Centurion  vras  neither  more 


no  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

nor  less  than  absolute  dependence  upon  Christ,  as 
able  to  heal  his  sick  and  dying  servant.  Const  (juent- 
ly,  at  all  times,  and  in  all  persons,  true  faith  in  Christ 
is  the  dependence  of  the  heart  upon  him  for  con- 
tinual help  in  all  our  need. 

This  is  again  strongly  confirmed  by  the  memo- 
rable instance  of  the  Canaanitish  woindn.  Hearing 
tliat  Jesus  was  in  the  country  bordering  upon  her 
abode,  she  came  unto  him,  saying,  "  Have  mercy 
upon  me,  O  Lord,  thou  Son  of  David.  My  daughter 
is  grievously  vexed  with  a  devil."  But,  contrary 
to  his  behaviour  in  every  other  case,  he  answered 
her  not  a  word.  ^'  And  his  disciples  [more  benevo- 
lent in  appearance  than  their  divine  Master]  came 
and  besought  him,  saying,  Send  her  away,  for  she 
crieth  after  us.  Regard  her  anguish,  and  grant  her 
request."  In  his  reply,  he  seems  absolutely  to  re- 
fuse her  request,  giving  for  a  reason,  that  his  minis- 
try was  to  be  confined  to  the  Jews.  And  when  again 
entreated  by  her,  he  adds,  in  a  still  more  discourag- 
ing tone,  "  That  it  was  not  meet  for  him  to  display 
his  mercy  amongst  the  Heathen,  who,  by  their  idol- 
atry, and  other  detestable  pollutions,  were  become 
like  dogs  before  God.  This  he  was  to  exercise  to- 
wards Israel  only,  the  children  of  God  by  covenant 
and  profession. 

The  woman  replies,  "  Truth,  Lord,  yet  the  dogs 
eat  of  the  crumbs  which  fall  from  their  master's 
table."  Permit  me  only  to  share  the  privilege  which 
dogs  enjoy  in  a  family.  Amidst  the  plenty  of  miracu- 
lous cures  bestowed  by  thee  on  Israel,  thy  children, 
drop  one  on  me,  a  poor  distressed  Heathen,  by  which 
act  of  beneficence,  they  will  suffer  no  more  loss,  than 
tlie  cliildren  of  a  family  do  by  a  few  crumbs  cast  to 
the  dogs. 

"  Then  Jesus  answered,  O  Woman,  great  is  thy 
feith,,  be  it  unto  thee  even  as  thou  wilt,"  Mat.  xv* 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  Ill 

21.  But  what  was  her  faith?  A  patient,  resolute, 
invincible  trust  for  relief  upon  the  grace  she  knew 
d^veit  so  richlv  in  him,  notwithstanding  the  greatest 
discourageiuents  to  trust  any  longer.  This,  therefore, 
no  less  clearly  than  the  former  instance,  determines, 
that  faith  in  J«  sus  Christ  precisely  means  reliance  of 
the  heart  on  him  for  help  and  deliverance. 

The  fault  charged  on  those  who  are  rebuked  by 
him  for  unbeliefs  proves  as  strongly  the  same  thing. 
Ill  Si.  Mark  we  read  that  our  Lord,  fatigued  with 
his  abundant  labours  of  love,  fell  asleep  as  he  was  in 
a  ship  with  his  disciples.  A  storm  in  an  instant 
arises.  Now,  the  raging  billows  toss  them  up  to 
the  clouds,  then,  parting,  let  them  sink,  till  they 
are  almost  buried  in  the  deep.  The  disciples  exert, 
in  vain,  their  utmost  skill  to  manage  the  vessel. 
The  waves  fill  her,  that  she  was  beginning  to  sink, 
when,  giving  themselves  up  for  lost,  they  ran  shriek- 
ing out  to  Jesus,  ''Master,  master,  we  perish. '"* 
Their  cries  awoke  him.  He  instantly  rebuked  the 
winds  and  the  sea,  and  there  was  a  calm.  Immedi- 
ately he  turns  upon  his  disciples  with  this  reproof, 
•'  VVhy  are  ve  so  fearful  ?  How  is  it,  that  ye  have 
no  faith?"  Mark  iv.  2>^. 

In  this  instance,  want  of  assurance  in  the  power 
of  Christ  to  save  them,  even  when  destruction  had 
opLMied  its  jaws  to  swallow  them  up,  and  a  doubt 
of  his  ability  to  gather  the  stormy  wind  in  his  fist, 
and  bind  the  raging  flood  from  overflo\^'ing  them, 
wht  n  they  were  almost  overwhelmed  in  the  sea  :  It 
was  this  which  our  Lord  rebukes,  as  a  demonstra- 
tion of  their  unbelief.  And  very  justly  too ;  since, 
after  the  wonders  they  had  seen  him  do,  and  his 
promises  of  love  to  them,  they  ought  to  have  known 
hiS  power  could  deliver  them  in  the  time  of  their 
drstj  ess,  though  the  vessel  had  foundered,  and  save 
them  ail,  as  he  afterwards  did  one  of  their  number, 


M2  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

by  making  them  walk  on  the  waves,  as  on  solid 
land. 

To  avoid  being  tedious,  only  one  instance  more 
shall  be  produced,  but  decisive  on  the  point. 

In  St.  Mark,  ch.  ix.  we  read,  that  a  father,  in  an- 
guish for  his  son  possessed  with  a  de^il,  brought 
him  to  the  apostles,  that  they  might  heal  him.  Upon 
finding  them  unable,  he,  dispirited  by  the  remem- 
brance of  his  dear  child's  long  continued  misery, 
was  afraid  this  case  might  surpass  also  the  power  of 
Jesus  to  cure.  *'  The  father  therefore  saith  unto 
him,  If  thou  canst  do  any  thing,  have  compassion 
on  us,  and  help  us.  Jesus  said  unto  him,  If  thou 
canst  believe,  all  things  are  possible  to  him  that  be- 
lieveth,  [i,  ^.  depends  upon  my  all-sufficient  power.] 
And  straightway  the  father  of  the  child  cried  out, 
and  said  with  tears.  Lord,  I  believe,  help  thou  my 
unbelief"  Now  I  can  trust  in  thee  as  able  to  help 
me.  With  shame  I  lament  the  remainiiig  unbelief 
which  I  feel  struggling  against  me.  O  forgive  it, 
and  take  it  all  away.  Thoroughly  cure  both  me  and 
my  son ;  me  of  my  spiritual,  him  of  his  corporeal 
disease. 

1  know  not  a  single  instance  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment either  of  faith  extolled,  or  unbelief  reproved, 
where  the  nature  of  this  fundamental  grace  is  not  pre- 
cisely fixed  to  be  the  affiance  of  the  soul  in  Christ, 
for  help  and  deliverance. 

Should  it  be  said  the  Centurion  and  Canaan itish 
woman  shewed  their  trust ;  the  disciples  in  the  tem- 
pest, and  the  distressed  father  their  unbelief,  in  things 
temporal ;  therefore,  they  are  not  proper  examples 
to  determine  the  nature  of  that  faith,  to  which  the 
salvation  of  the  soul  and  eternal  life  are  promised : 
the  answer  is  obvious — Difference  in  the  nature  of 
benefirs  implored  certainly  infers  no  difference  at  all 
in  the  principle  of  faith  by  which  they  are  earnestly 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  ii,3 

sought.  Noah  built  the  ark ;  Abraham  offered  his 
son ;  and  Moses  esteemed  the  reproach  of  Christ 
greater  riches  than  all  the  treasures  of  Egypt,  from 
one  and  the  same  principle  of  faith.  The  acts  though 
totally  different  in  kind,  were  the  glorious  effect  of 
one  single  cause. 

In  like  manner,  whether  reliance  on  the  power  of 
Christ  be  for  deliverance  in  things  spiritual  or  tem- 
poral, from  wants  in  number  less  or  more,  it  is  still 
the  very  same  temper  of  heart,  exercising  itself  on 
the  same  glorious  object. 


SUNDAY  XV. 

CHAP.  XV. 

The  extent  of  Faith  in  Christ. 

1  HIS  reaches  as  far  as  our  necessities,  of  which  a 
particular  knowledge  is  needful ;  and  the  use  of  faith 
to  obtain  a  supply  for  them  all  being  considered,  we 
shall  have  as  ample  and  distinct  a  view  of  this  grace 
as  can  be  given. 

Compare  then  your  life,  the  tempers,  desires,  and 
purposes  of  your  heart,  with  the  law  of  God,  the 
rule  of  your  duty.  Accusations  against  you  will  im- 
mediately pour  in  from  every  side.  Each  command- 
ment, as  Christ  himself  explains  it,  charges  you  with 
innumerable  sins  of  commission  or  omission.  God 
and  your  own  conscience  tells  you  that  your  offences 
have  not  been  merely  mistakes  and  inadvertencies, 
but  provoking  expressions  of  unbelief,  pride,  self* 
love,  and  self-will,  rebelling  against  his  government. 

To  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  is,  under 


n*  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

heart -felt  grief  for  all  this  sinfulness,  and  in  abhor- 
rence of  it,  to  depend  on  his  blood  as  the  onJy  pro- 
pitiation which  God  hath  set  forth  for  sin.  It  is  to 
use  only  this  plea.  The  blood  of  Christ  cleanseth 
from  all  sin.  It  is  in  steady  rejection  of  every  hope 
built  upon  your  own  good  qualities  or  repentance, 
or  simply  the  mercy  of  God,  to  place  your  whole 
confidence  in  Christ,  made  sin,  though  he  knew  no 
sin,  that  all  who  believe  on  his  name,  might  be  made 
(in  spite  of  mountainous  obstacles,  dibn^aying  to  be* 
hold)  the  righteousness  of  God  in  him.  It  is  under 
COMSciousness  of  perpetual  dtfiiement  in  yourself, 
and  infinite  purity  in  God,  to  regard  Christ  as  your 
passover,  and  his  blood  your  whole  safeguard  from 
deserved  wrath,  as  the  faithful  Israelites  of  old 
sprinkled  the  blood  of  the  lamb  on  their  door,  as 
their  protection  from  the  destroyer. 

Equal  in  decree  to  your  guilt,  you  will  confess  is 
your  ignorance  in  things  spiritual.  That  your  appre- 
hensions of  God  are  exceeding  low  ;  3  our  coiiCp- 
tions  of  his  law,  sin,  and  }  our  own  demerit,  all  de- 
plorably wrong;  that  numberless  prejudices  rcm.^m 
in  your  heart  against  the  truth  ;  and  an  inordinate 
affection  to  earthly  things,  weakening  the  impressions 
which  things  eternal  ought  constaritiy  to  make  oa 
your  mind. 

In  these  circumstances,  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  means  dependence  upon  him,  as  one  able  to 
enlighten  your  understanding,  and  secure  you  froni 
all  the  delusions  of  your  own  false  reasonings.  It  is 
to  look  up  to  him  for  instruction,  who  came  inio  the 
world,  that  all  who  believe  in  him  should  not  walk 
in  darkness,  but  have  the  light  of  life.  It  is,  with 
the  simplicity  of  a  child,  to  believe  just  what  he  tells 
you  is  the  truth,  without  a  murmur,  or  a  doubt.  It 
is  every  day,  as  absolutely  to  depend  on  the  teach- 
ing of  Christ  by  his  word  and  spirit,  as  pupils  do  on 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  1141 

the  lectures  of  a  professor  most  famous  for  know- 
ledge in  his  science. 

Earnest  endeavours  to  obey  the  commandments  of 
God,  without  which,  external  religion  and  a  sober 
behaviour  are  vain,  will  soon  convince  }  ou  of  your 
own  weakness.  You  will  feel  your  nature  violently- 
prone  to  evil,  and  the  desires  of  your  heart  often 
shameful.  You  will  see  yourself  surrounded  with 
temptations  to  transgress,  and  many  strong  discour. 
agements  against  paying  obedience  in  all  things  to 
your  Maker's  will.  You  will  soon  fiitd  it  is  a  work 
far  surpassing  human  power  to  alter  the  course  of 
nature,  bv  bringing  back  that  heart  to  God  which 
has  been  alienated  from  him  ;  by  making  your  will, 
almost  lawless  before,  bow  in  all  things  to  his  right- 
eous commands  :  and  after  having  walked  in  the 
paths  of  self-indulgence,  as  the  oniy  paths  of  j)lt:asure, 
to  oppose  its  suggestions,  and  in  humility  bewail 
them.  Yet  this  inv/ard  change  alone  is  true  holiness; 
all  short  of  it,  partiality  and  hypocrisy. 

Acquainted  then  with  the  naiure  of  true  religion, 
you  will  earnestly  enquire  how  you  shall  be  ever  able 
to  perform  your  duty  ?  Faith  in  Christ  is  dependence 
upon  him,  in  those  circumstances,  to  purify  your 
heart,  to  give  you  victory  over  every  corruption  oi 
nature,  a  blessing  no  less  to  be  desired  than  pardon 
of  all  sin.  It  is  daily  to  make  application  to  him, 
in  assurance  that  he  is  able  to  save  your  soul  from 
the  tyranny  of  beloved  lusts,  though  all  other 
methods  used  have  utterly  failed ;  iind  that  he  w  ill 
sanctify  you  wholly,  make  you  entirely  demoted  to 
himself,  and  preserve  you  blameless  in  understand- 
ing,  soul,  and  body. 

Thus  far  the  ex'ent  of  fairh  in  Christ  respects  ouf 
.condition  here.  But  as  this  life  must  ver\  soon  end, 
when  either  the  dismal  effects  of  uncajicelled  and  un- 
conquered  sin  must  be  eternally  endured,  or  th^* 


U6  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

unsearchable  blessings  of  redemption  be  fully  en- 
joyed  :  In  this  view,  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
enlarges  itself  by  firmly  depending  on  his  love  for 
an  abundant  provision  when  earthly  comforts  fail, 
and  present  objects  cease.     It  rests  assured  on  his 
naked  word,  that  your  separated  spirit  shall  not  wan- 
der desolate  in  the  unknown  world,  nor  your  dead 
body  remain  for  ever  a  prisoner  in  the  grave ;  on  the 
contrary,  that  the  one  shall  be  raised  and  fashioned 
by  him  into  a  perfect  resemblance  of  his  own  glori- 
ous body  ;  and  the  other  be  admitted  into  that  bless- 
ed kingdom,  where  his  infinite  wisdom  and  almighty 
power  make  the  bliss  of  his  saints  exceed  all  we  can 
imagine.     It  is,  in  habitual  expectation  of  death,  to 
commend  your  spirit  into  his  hands,  knowing  he  is 
able  to  keep  that  which  you  have  committed  unto 
him  unto  that  day. 


SUNDAY  XVI, 

CHAP.  XVI. 

Great  advantages  from  receiving  Christ's  own  Definition  of 

Faith  in  his  Name. 

oEVERAL  scripture  instances  have  been  produced 
above,  of  those  our  Lord  commended  for  their  faith, 
or  reproved  for  their  unbelief,  proving  it  means  a 
constant  dependence  upon  his  power  and  grace  for 
relief  in  all  our  need.  In  this  chapter,  I  shall  point 
cut  the  great  advantages  of  receiving  this  definition 
of  faith,  and  being  established  in  its  truth. 

This  definition  of  faith  in  Christ  is  easy  to  be  un- 
derstood by  all  mankind,  and  in  its  very  nature  ex- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  117 

eludes  every  abuse  of  faith,  whilst  it  gives  comfort 
and  assurance  to  the  mind,  and  ascribes  to  Christ 
that  glory  in  the  salvation  of  sinners,  which  is  so 
fully  ascribed  to  him  in  the  word  of  God. 

Men  of  learning  frequently  condemn  the  laying 
great  stress  on  the  doctrine  of  faith,  as  very  perplex- 
ing to  those  of  no  education.  They  tell  us,  after  all 
we  can  say  about  it,  common  people  will  be  still  at 
a  loss  to  conceive  what  faith  in  the  Son  of  God 
means.  Could  this  objection  be  made  good,  it 
would  overturn  the  whole  credit  of  the  gospel ;  be- 
cause it  perpetually  inculcates  faith  as  the  root  of  all 
excellencies,  and  affirms  the  want  of  it  to  be  the 
death  of  the  soul.  And  certain  it  is,  that  whatever 
is  of  such  moment  to  the  salvation  of  all,  must  be 
level  to  the  capacity  of  every  one  who  will  diligently 
attend  to  information.  But  what  place  is  there  for 
this  objection,  when  the  idea  of  faith  in  Christ  means 
only  constant  dependence  upon  him,  to  receive  wis- 
dom, righteousness,  sanctification,  and  redemption  ? 
Are  not  the  poor  as  well  acquainted  to  the  full,  as 
the  learned  or  rich,  with  the  nature  of  promises,  and 
the  confidence  they  deserve,  when  given  by  men  of 
integrity  and  power  ?  Is  the  meanest  capacity  at 
any  loss  clearly  to  conceive,  that  children  who  would 
learn  must  entirely  depend  upon  their  teacher?  Or 
that  insolvent  debtors  must  go  to  prison,  or  stand 
beholden  to  some  surety,  or  some  act  of  grace  ? 
That  those  who  cannot  resist  their  enemies  in  their 
own  strength  must  seek  for  defence  to  one  mightier 
than  they  ?  By  transferring  these  very  common  ideas 
to  the  Redeemer,  you  have  a  full  distinct  idea  of 
faith  in  his  name.  And  supposing  the  grounds  for 
putting  your  whole  trust  in  him  such  as  all  may 
equally  perceive  their  force  (a  point  which  will  be 
proved  hereafter),  then  no  one  can  say  with  truth. 


118  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

there  is  any  obscurity  in  the  nature  of  the  faith 
Christ  requires,  or  its  immoveable  foundation. 

2.  The  scriptural  idea  of  faith  in  Christ,  as  a  con- 
stant dependence  on  him  for  wisdom,  righteousness, 
sanctification,  and  redemption,  excludes  all  abuses 
of  the  doctrine  of  salvation  by  faith.  That  many 
and  grievous  ones  should  prevail,  is  not  strange, 
since  the  incomparable  blessings  promised  to  it  work 
like  so  many  bribes  upon  our  self-love,  to  make  us 
deal  dishonestly,  and  in  want  of  the  reality,  embrace 
a  counterfeit.  But  all  falbc  notions  of  faith,  when 
compared  with  the  above  definition  of  its  nature, 
stand  at  once  detected  and  exposed. 

For  instance,  speculative  faith  is  apt  generally  and 
fatally  to  deceive,  without  suspicion.  When  a 
learned  reasoner  has  compared  the  glorious  prophe- 
cies of  Christ,  with  the  events  which  prove  tlitir 
exact  accomplishment ;  has  canvassed  his  miracles 
and  doctrine,  till  his  conviction  of  the  truth  is  com- 
plete ;  this  learned  reasoner,  probtjbly,  will  be  very 
confident  he  is  a  true  believer  in  Christ,  though  his 
ruling  passions  utterly  disgrace  his  faith,  and  give 
all  witnesses  of  his  example  cause  to  think  his  reli- 
gion contemptible. 

To  convince  a  man  of  this  sort,  that  he  shame- 
fully imposes  upon  himself  by  calling  his  knowledge 
and  assent  to  evidence,  faith  in  Christ,  will,  I  grant, 
be  difficult.  Yet,  so  far  as  means  can  be  of  use  to 
effect  the  conviction  of  such  deplorable  self- abuse, 
it  must  be  proving  that  his  acquaintance  with  scrip- 
ture prophecies,  miracles,  and  doctrines  ;  his  ready 
acknowledgment  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ ;  and  alac- 
rity in  defence  of  his  gospel  against  the  whole  army 
of  infidels  ;  still  leave  him  upon  the  same  ground, 
where  all  stand  who  despise  revelation,  i.  e  just  as 
much  a  stranger  to  any  daily  dependence  upon  Jesus 
Christ ;  that  he,   no  more   tlian  impious  scoffer^ 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN".  U9 

humbly  looks  up,  as  a  poor,  ignorant,  helpless,  sin- 
ful creature,  for  relief  of  his  necessities,  to  the  all- 
sufficient  Saviour.  Consequently  this  speculative, 
learned,  self-satisfied  believer,  may  perceive  that 
faith  in  the  Son  of  God,  which  the  scripture  requires 
to  the  saving  of  the  soul,  is  a  thing  entirely  different 
from  giving  assent  to  the  gospel  as  the  truth  of  God. 
The  latter  may  be  given  by  the  vilest  of  men  in  all 
their  viilany  ;  the  former  can  be  possessed  only  by 
the  humble  and  contrite  in  spirit,  who  long  after  true 
liberty  and  the  salvation  of  God. 

3.  By  the  same  way  of  trial,  another  detestable 
abuse  of  faith  in  Christ,  to  which  love  of  sin  inclines 
us  all,  vvill  be  fuily  detected.  No  sooner  was  the 
name  of  Christ  preached  to  the  Heathen  world,  and 
glorified  by  the  conversion  of  vast  multitudes,  than 
Satan,  jealous  of  his  own  empire,  prevailed  over  a 
large  body  of  professing  Christians  to  boast  that 
they  had  faith,  and  were  complete  in  Christ,  whilst 
they  lived  in  contempt  of  his  authority.  They 
loudly  vaunted  that  Christ's  righteousness  was  theirs, 
while  they  despised,  disdained,  and,  with  infernal 
malice,  hated  holiness,  the  image  of  God.  In  every 
revival  of  Christ's  religion,  the  same  accursed  error 
has  revived  with  it :  what  is  said  of  envy  respecting 
great  merit  ? 

Envy's  the  shadow,  proves  the  substance  true, 
holds  good  in  this  point.  Wherever  the  true  gospel 
is  enforced,  this  dreadful  abuse  of  it  will  certainly 
make  its  appearance  in  some  degree. '^^^ 

*  St.  Puul,  St.  James,  St.  Peter,  and  St.  John,  saw  this  de- 
testixble  ptrversion  of  gospel  grace,  and  give,  in  all  their  epis- 
tles, an  antidote  agahist  its  poison.  In  Germany  and  England, 
some  time  after  the  glorious  Reformation,  the  infernal  delusion 
of'  Antinomian  fuith  spread  much.  Far,  therefore,  is  this  li- 
sentious  abuse  from  being  a  reason  for  not  preaching  the  doc- 
trines of  grcxe.  But  it  is  a  constant  call  upon  Christ's  minis- 
ters, clearly  to  explain,  and  by  a  scriptural  idea  of  faitli,  guaid 
^Q-ir  people,  and  expose  the  devices  ol  the  wicked. 


12Q  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

This  delusion,  very  properly  called  Antinomian 
faith,  from  its  avowed  opposition  to  the  control  of 
God's  law,  can  find  no  reception,  nor  ever  be  mis- 
taken for  faith  in  Christ,  as  faith  means  constant  de- 
pendence on  him  for  wisdom,  righteousness,  sane- 
tification,  and  redemption.  Because  nothing  can  be 
more  opposite  to  this  disposition  of  mind  respecting 
our  Saviour,  than  the  blasphemous  falsehood  that 
you  are  to  depend  upon  him  for  no  communications 
of  grace.  Nothing  can  be  more  contrary  to  the  faith 
so  extolled  by  his  own  lips,  than  the  infatuation 
which  leads  you  to  conclude  you  need  not  look  to 
his  power  for  victory  over  every  evil  and  corrupt 
desire.  Nor  can  any  thing  so  effectually  abolish  all 
intercourse  between  the  Redeemer  and  the  redeem- 
ed, than  so  to  interpret  the  efficacy  of  his  divine 
obedience  and  precious  blood,  as  if  no  purification 
of  the  soul  was  needful.  This  licentious  notion,  in 
its  very  nature,  absolutely  excludes  all  application 
to  the  Redeemer,  consequently  all  dependence  upon 
him.  However,  then,  many  may  vehemently  con- 
tend for  this  notion,  as  the  only  pure  faith,  it  cer- 
tainly has  not  one  single  property  of  scriptural  faith 
in  Christ. 

4.  It  is  common  to  mistake  opinions,  received 
only  from  education,  for  faith  in  Christ  Jesus.  En- 
grossed by  earthly  pursuits,  most  men  feel  not  the 
importance  of  revealed  truth.  They  take,  therefore, 
the  national  religion  for  granted,  be  it  what  it  may, 
and  regularly  conform  to  all  its  institutions.  After 
having  done  so  for  a  course  of  years,  they  absurdly 
take  it  also  for  granted,  that  nothing  less  than  true 
Christian  faith  could  have  kept  them  so  long  wor- 
shippers of  God,  without  ever  calling  the  doctrines 
of  the  Bible  in  question  :  whilst  the  fact  is,  gross 
carelessness,  sensuality,  or  immoderate  application 
to  business,  or  love  of  money,  would  never  suffer 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  121 

them  to  think  religion  a  subject  deserving  serious 
attention. 

If  you  interrogate  such  deluded,  but  confident 
formalists,  whether  they  were  ever  painfully  con- 
vinced of  their  natural  ignorance  of  God,  great 
guilt,  and  depravity  of  heart  before  him?  Whether 
they  are  wont,  with  grief,  to  confess  the  provoca- 
tion of  their  sins,  the  power  of  their  evil  tempers, 
and,  in  view  of  both,  depend  on  Jesus  alone  to  save 
them  ?  These  leading  questions  will  at  once  lay  bare 
the  lies  which  they  make  their  refuge,  and  prove, 
that  what  they  call  faith  in  Christ,  is  nothing  but 
vain  and  despicable  credulity,  founded  on  education^ 
and  the  traditions  of  men. 

Further,  if  you  ask  any  one  of  these  self-satisfied 
formalists  in  religion,  who  assume  to  themselves  the 
name  of  believers  in  Jesus,  why  do  you  think  your- 
self in  a  safe  state?  He  will  answer,  that  he  has  used 
his  best  endeavours  to  lead  a  good  life,  and  that 
God  is  merciful,  and  knows  our  frailty.  An  answer 
which  flatly  contradicts  the  scripture.  That,  so  far 
from  teaching  us  to  expect  pardon  merely  because 
God  is  merciful,  or  we  endeavour  to  lead  a  good 
life,  proclaims  Christ's  death  on  the  cross  a  substi- 
tute for  sinners,  is  the  one  only  possible  means  of 
reconciliation  with  God.  So  far  from  intimating 
that  our  unassisted  endeavours  will  succeed,  it  com- 
mands us  constantly  to  seek  the  Lord  and  his  strength. 
Judge,  therefore,  what  a  mere  delusion  is  the  faith  of 
formalists  in  religion,  since  it  leaves  them  ignorant 
how  their  sins  are  to  be  pardoned,  or  victory  over 
them  obtained. 

5.  There  is  still  another  mistake  about  the  nature 
of  faith  in  Christ,  which  this  plain  scriptural  idea  of 
it  discovers,  and,  without  encouraging  sloth  or  for- 
mality in  religion,  refutes.  Men  of  the  best  inten- 
tions, and  with  hearts  warm  for  the  good  of  souls^ 


Iil2  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAK. 

have  represented  faith  in  Christ  to  be  a  particular 
revelation  to  every  individual  believer,  the  monjent 
he  does  in  truth  believe,  whereby  the  forgiveness  of 
his  sins  is  made  self-evident  upon  the  force  of  inward 
feeling  ow/y. 

That  the  blessed  God  can  impress  on  the  mind  so 
strong  a  sense  of  pardon,  as  to  make  his  dear  obedi- 
ent children  certain  of  their  salvation,  none  but  those 
will  doubt,  who  take  upon  thtm  to  limit  the  mercy 
arid  power  of  the  Aimighty,  and  prescribe  to  his 
wisdom.  That,  in  many  instincts,  he  is  pleased  ihxxs 
to  manifest  his  name  and  love,  none  can  dispute  who 
have  known  the  lives  or  deaths  of  the  excellent 
among  his  saints.  By  this,  martyrs  have  been  able 
to  sing  in  the  flames :  by  this,  thousands  are  kept 
faihful  to  God  and  duty,  amidst  scoffs  from  the 
formal,  and  insults  from  the  profane. 

Indeed,  men  must  first  strangely  undervalue  the 
salvation  of  their  souls,  and  the  love  of  God,  who 
can  rest  satisfied,  till  thev  know  their  sins  are  for- 
given.  Nevertheless,  it  is  one  thing  to  feel  the  joy 
of  pardon  ;  another,  to  know  you  depend  upon  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  only,  for  pardon  and  supply  of  all 
your  wants.  One  thing  to  exult  in  God's  love  to 
your  soul ;  quite  another  to  call  upon  him,  who  is 
exalted  to  be  a  Prince  and  a  Saviour,  to  give  re- 
pentance and  remission  of  sins  to  all  who  believe  in 
his  name.  And  to  say,  real  faith  in  him  can  be  evi- 
denced no  otherwise  than  by  feeling  an  immediate 
testimony  of  pardon,  is  as  gross  a  mistiike,  as  to  sup. 
pose  no  credit  can  be  given  to  the  written  promise 
of  a  friend  any  longer  than  you  hear  him  enforce  it 
with  repeated  declarations  of  his  affection  for  you. 
In  every  other  case,  this  would  argue  violent  distrust 
of  the  promise- maker  ;  How  then  can  it  be  the  only 
test  of  faith  in  Christ  ? 

It  was  needful  here  to  guard  against  this  mistake 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  123 

of  the  nature  of  faith  in  Christ,  because,  when  the 
power  of  religion  revives,  may  lay  too  great  a  stress 
on  the  knowledge  of  forgiveness  of  sins,  through  the 
force  of  an  inward  feeliiig;  many  make  it  their  whole 
business  to  seek  the  proof  of  their  pardon  in  such 
sensations,  not  from  the  written  word  explained  and 
applied  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  speak  as  if  nothii^g 
was  worth  acknowledging  as  a  gracious  gift  from 
above,  whilst  men  are  strangers  to  such  an  evidence 
of  their  pardon.  Others  (we  must  own  with  grief) 
have  by  this  mista  e  dreadfully  imposed  upon  the  m^ 
selves,  in  taking  a  strong  emotion  of  joy  for  faith, 
though  ignorant  of  the  evil  of  sin,  and  strangers  to 
all  hu  niliationfor  it.  In  the  same  mistake,  a  third 
class  have  been  overwhelmed  with  terrors,  and  led 
for  a  long  time  cruelly  to  pass  sentence  upon  them,- 
selves,  as  persons  concluded  in  unbelief,  and  with- 
out Christ,  at  the  very  time  they  were  depending 
upon  him  as  all  their  salvation ;  consequently,  ac- 
cording  to  the  scripture  idea  of  faith,  were  true  be- 
lievers. 

Another  great  advantage  arising  from  this  scrip- 
ture definition  of  faith  in  Christ,  is  the  establishment 
of  believers  in  peace.  Christ  promises,  to  all  who 
receive  him,  more  than  an  equivalent  in  this  world, 
for  every  thing  they  may  lose,  or  suffer  for  his  sake, 
and  eternal  life  in  the  next ;  assuring  them  that  re- 
conciliation is  made  for  their  iniquity  ;  that  they  are, 
without  ceasing,  the  object  of  God's  care  and  love, 
and  the  heirs  of  glory.  But  assurance  that  these 
blessings  belong  to  any  particular  person,  depends 
wholly  on  the  certainty  the  person  possesses  ot  hav- 
ing true  faith  in  the  Son  of  God.  If  this  point  be 
brought  into  doubt,  his  peace  departs,  his  comfort 
•dies  away;  because  all  the  promises  of  God's 
special  love  belong  to  them  aloae,  who  are  in  Christ 
Jesus. 


lU  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

It  is  no  doubt  with  any  member  of  his  church, 
whether  a  true  beHever  is  accepted  of  God.  But 
the  doubt  so  cruelly  perplexing  to  serious  minds, 
and  chilling  to  their  hopes,  is,  whether  they  are  be- 
lievers or  not.  In  order,  then,  to  secure  to  the  faith- 
ful, that  peace  which  the  word  of  God  declares  they 
have  a  full  right  to  enjoy,  the  evidence  which  proves 
the  reality  of  faith  must  be  both  clear  and  perma- 
nent. Of  this  perfect  kind,  is  the  evidence  which 
accompanies  a  lively  dependence  on  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  to  supply  all  our  spiritual  wants.  No  one 
can  possess  it,  without  being  conscious  he  does  so  ; 
for  it  implies  an  intimate  interesting  connexion  be- 
tween Christ  and  the  soul ;  a  knowledge  of  him 
affecting  the  heart,  and  full  of  influence,  a  daily  and 
persevering  application  to  him.  Whoever  therefore 
lives  in  this  dependence  upon  Christ,  might  as 
reasonably  call  in  question  the  reality  of  what  passes 
between  himself  and  his  friends  on  earth,  as  whether 
he  is  a  believer  in  Jesus.  This  is  an  evidence  also 
no  less  abiding  than  clear ;  because,  dependence  upon 
Christ,  and  application  to  him,  do  not  vary  as  spir- 
itual consolations  do.  No  believer  returns  to  the 
love  of  sin,  after  having  called,  with  sorrow  and 
deep  humility,  upon  the  Redeemer  to  deliver  him 
from  its  curse  and  power ;  nor  revolts  to  a  legal  trust 
in  himself  as  righteous,  after  having  cordially  submit- 
ted to  the  righteousness  of  God.  By  consequence, 
one  actually  involved  in  gloom,  and  tormented  with 
fear,  lest  he  should  have  no  part  in  Christ,  because 
he  feels  no  transport,  or  is  troubled  with  doubts, 
■^vill  be  able  (when  he  knows  the  nature  of  faith)  to 
prove  himself  a  believer,  by  proving  his  whole  de- 
pendence for  salvation  is  on  Christ  alone.  And  from 
an  establishment  in  this  truth,  the  very  joy  whose 
absence  he  was  mourning  will  spring  up,  flourish, 
mid,  like  a  fragrant  flower  in  its  proper  soil,  yield  a 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  125 

delightful  odour.  He  will  be  able,  with  the  highest 
satisfaction,  to  say,  "In  the  Lord's  word  will  I  re- 
joice, in  the  Lord's  word  will  I  comfort  me." 

Besides,  active  trust  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
for  present  supply  of  our  wants,  proves,  from  its 
success,  an  abiding  source  of  assurance  to  the  mind 
which  possesses  it.    For  every  sinner  first  exercises 
trust  in  the  Redeemer  in  a  necessitous  condition. 
He  would  never  cast  himself  a  supplicant  at  his  feet, 
could  he  be  safe  without  his  protection,   or  satisfied 
without   his   peace.      Upon   such  application,  the 
promise  of  God  engages  that  the  things  asked  for 
shall  be  received.     Accordingly,  when  you  depend 
upon  Jesus  as  your  prophet,  very  soon  wisdom  from 
above  will  be  given   to  you,    and  an  understanding 
of  the  way  of  life  will  in  some  measure  be  bestow- 
ed.    Very  soon  the  world,  sin,  and  your  own  heart, 
will  appear  to  you  in  a  new  light  :  God,  in  his  per- 
fections, his  works,  and  gospel,  will  be   seen  ex- 
ceedingly glorious,  and  your  gross  ignorance  of  the 
Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  will  be  removed.     A  wit- 
ness this  in  yourself,  that  your  dependence  on  Jesus 
has  not  been  in  vain. 

In  like  manner,  when  first  awakened,  your  con- 
science was  full  of  fears,  and  you  could  have  no 
comfortable  communion  with  God  ;  but,  by  depend- 
ence on  the  merits  of  Christ's  blood,  you  have  ac- 
cess to  God  with  confidence.  So,  strength  and 
power  to  deny  yourself  for  Jesus'  sake,  and  the 
change  of  a  lawless  will  into  meek  subjection,  (ano- 
ther immediate  effect  of  dependence  on  Christ), 
proves  to  demonstration,  that  you  have  actually  re- 
ceived  what  is  promised  to  the  faithful. 

It  must  be  added,  that  this  constant  dependence 
on' our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  for  supply  of  all  our  wants, 
and  deliverance  out  of  all  our  woes,  ascribes  to  him 


its  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

such  g^lory  in  our  salvation,  as  the  scripture  express* 
ly  declares  he  shall  receive  from  his  church. 

This  will  appear  from  considering  a  few  remark- 
able passages  in  the  Old  and  New  Testament  con- 
cerning Christ. 

In  the  seventy -second  Psalm,  it  is  foretold  of  the 
Rt-deemer,  that  wheji  his  name  should  be  preached, 
"  prayer  shall  be  made  to  him  continually,  and  daily 
shall  he  be  praised ;''  a  glorious  prediction  indeed  ! 
which  can  receive  its  accomplishment  only  by  the 
continual  dependence  of  the  church,  on  Christ,  for 
wisdom,  righteousness,  and  strength,  and  continual 
gratitude  and  praise  to  him  for  such  supplies. 

Isaiah  abounds  with  emphatical  declarations  of 
the  perpetual  affiance  which  the  church  should  place 
in  Christ.  He  expresses  the  conversion  of  tht  Hea- 
then world  to  the  true  faith  thus  :  "  The  isles  shall 
wait  upon  me,  and  upon  my  arms  shall  the  y  trust." 
The  same  prophet  relates  the  R.deemer^s  grand 
proclamation,  where  majesty  and  mercy  appear  in 
their  brightest  forms.  His  proclamation  runs  thus  : 
**  Look  unto  me,  and  be  ye  saved,  all  ye  ends  of  the 
earth,  for  I  am  God,  and  there  is  none  else.  I  have 
sworn  by  myself,  the  word  is  gone  out  of  mv  mouth 
in  righteousness,  and  shall  not  return;  unto  me  every 
knee  shall  bow,  every  tongue  shall  sw^ear.  Surely 
shall  one  say,  in  the  Lord  have  I  righteousness,  and 
strength,  unto  him  shall  men  come,  and  all  that  are 
incensed  against  him  shall  be  ashamed.  In  the  Lord 
shall  all  the  seed  of  Israel  be  justified,  and  in  him 
shall  they  glory,"  Isa.  xlv. 

Here  thr  Son  of  God  presents  himself  in  all  the 
glory  of  his  divine  person,  and  all  the  efficacy  of  his 
grace,  as  the  object  of  faith,  and  the  author  of  sal- 
vation. "  Look  unto  me,"  says  he,  '*  wretched, 
ruined  transgressors ;  look  unto  me  dying  on  the 
cross  as  your  victim  ;  not  by  your  own  strength  or 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  ie7 

virtue,  but  by  dependence  on  me,  be  ye  saved, 
cleansed  from  guilt,  reconciled  to  God,  rescued  from 
the  dominion  of  sin." 

Do  you  ask,  who  are  invited  to  partake  of  this  in- 
estimable benefit?  "  Ail  the  ends  of  the  earth:'* 
people  of  every  nation  under  heaven,  of  every  station 
in  life,  of  every  condition,  and  of  every  character, 
not  excepting  the  chief  of  sinners. 

Do  you  ask,  is  it  possible  that  in  a  way  so  short, 
so  simple,   merely  by  dependence  on  Jesus  Christ, 
innumerable   millions  should  be  saved  ?     It  is  not 
only  possible,  but  certain,  "  for  I  am  God  ;"   there- 
fore all-sufficient  to  save  all  who  come  unto  me,  be 
the  multitude  ever  so  great,    or  their  cases  ever  so 
desperate.    "  And  besides  these  there  is  none  other.'' 
Such  is  my  compassionate  call.      And  this  is  my  in- 
violable  decree  ;  1  have   not  only  spoken,    but*^  "  I 
have  sworn  by  myself,   the  word  is  gone  out  of  my 
mouth  in  righteousness  ;"  that  word  which  relates  to 
the  grandest  of  all  subjects,  and  the  most  important 
of  all  interests,  is  planned,  adjusted,  and  unalterably 
determined — It  shall  not  return,  neither  be  repealed 
by  me,  nor  frustrated  by  any  other.     ''  To  me  every 
knee  shall  bow  :"  every  soul  of  man,  in  order  to  in- 
herit eternal  life,  shall  submit  to,  and  depend  wholly 
upon  me,  as  on  obnoxious  criminal,  as  an  indigent 
creature,   and  obtain  salvation  wholly  through  my 
atonement.      "To  me  every  tongue  shall  swear:" 
renouncing  every  other  trust,   they  shall  confide  in 
me  alone,   and  publiclv  profess  they  do   so  before 
the  world.    And  this  shall  be  the  form  of  their  oath, 
and  the   tenor  of  their  heart-felt  confession  ;  each 
member  of  my  church   shall   say,   "  Surelv  in  the 
Lord  have  I  righteousness  ;"  the  expiation  of  all  mv 
iniquities,  the    obedience    the    law    demands,    and 
strength  for  increasing  improvement,  and  sanctifica- 
tion  of  soul. 


!28  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

To  this  sovereign  decree,  the  prophet  sets  to,  as 
it  were,  his  seal,  and,  in  a  transport  of  joy,  foretels 
the  accomplishment  of  it.  *'  To  him,''  this  great 
and  gracious  Redeemer,  ''  shall  men  come."  I  see 
them  flying  as  clouds  for  multitude,  and  as  doves  for 
speed.  They  believe  the  report  of  his  gospel,  and 
receive  of  his  fulness.  *^  Whilst  all  they  who  are  in- 
censed against  him,"  not  able  to  brook  such  absolute 
dependence  upon  him,  nor  bear  his  holy  govern- 
ment, shall  be  ashamed.  The  fig-leaves  of  their 
own  virtues  and  endowments  shall  neither  adorn 
them  for  glory,  nor  skreen  them  from  wrath  ;  but 
abandon  them  to  vengeance,  and  cover  them  with 
confusion ;  whilst  all  the  seed  of  Israel,  the  whole 
company  of  true  believers,  shall  be  justified  in  the 
Lord.  Against  them  no  accusation  shall  be  valid, 
or  condemnation  take  place  ;  far  from  it,  for  so  mag- 
nificent is  the  Saviour's  majesty,  and  so  beyond  our 
ideas  the  merits  of  his  life  and  death,  that  in  him 
they  shall  not  only  confide,  but  glory  ;  not  only  be 
safe,  but  triumphant ;  able  to  challenge  every  ad- 
versary, and  to  defy  every  danger. 

For  this  admirable  exposition  (though  a  little 
altered)  of  a  very  capital  scripture,  the  reader  is  in- 
debted to  the  late  seraphic  Mr.  Hervey.*  But  with 
or  without  this  striking  comment,  it  proves,  beyond 
a  doubt,  that  Jesus  Christ  must  be  acknowledged 
the  Author  of  all  our  salvation  ;  it  marks,  in  the 
strongest  lines,  that  true  faith  in  him  is  the  perpet- 
ual dependence  of  the  soul  on  his  grace  and  power. 
It  proves  also,  that  to  conceive  any  thing  to  be  faith 
in  Christ,  which  does  not  amount  to  an  absolute 
constant  dependence  on  him,  is  to  contradict  this  au- 
thentic and  full  representation  of  faith ;  to  degrade 
the  importance  of  Christ  to  his  church  ;  and  greatly 

*  See  hh  Letters  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wesley,  p.  33. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  1^9 

T^bscure  if  not  abolish,  his  glory.  For  to  suppose  it 
is  Christian  faith  to  allow  Jesus  was  no  impostor  in 
what  he  taught,  or  even  that  his  death  was  a  vica* 
rious  sacrifice  for  sin,  is  to  give  him  very  little  glory, 
in  comparison  of  maintaining  uninterrupted  depend- 
ence upon  him.  In  one  light,  he  appears  only  like  a 
common  benefactor,  to  whose  past  generous  deeds 
and  toils  we  stand  greatly  indebted.  In  the  other, 
he  is  our  continual  support ,  of  whom  we  may  say  in 
triumph,  "  The  Lord  is  my  light  and  my  life,  whom 
then  shall  I  fear?  The  Lord  is  the  strength  of  my 
life,  of  whom  then  shall  1  be  afraid?" 

The  New  Testament  perfectly  concurs  with  the 
Old,  to  place  Christ  in  this  glorious  point  of  view 
before  us.  St.  Paul  and  St.  Peter  represent  the  faith 
of  the  Christian  church  as  the  same  incessant  de- 
pendence upon  the  Lord  Jesus,  which  the  several 
parts  of  a  lofty  temple  bear  upon  its  foundation,  Eph. 
ii.  21.  1  Pet.  ii.  4.  They  again  explain  this  de- 
pendence by  the  union  which  the  members  of  the 
body  have  with  the  head,  Eph.  iv.  15;  whilst  Jesus 
himself  compares  it  to  the  union  subsisting  between 
the  branches  and  the  vine. 

But  none  of  these  scripture  images  are  used  with 
propriety  or  truth,  unless,  by  faith  in  the  only  be- 
gotten Son  of  God,  be  meant,  heart-felt  dependence 
on  him,  perpetually,  for  gracious  influences,  bless- 
ings, and  salvation. 

It  is  needless  to  add  more  scripture  proof.  But 
it  is  of  the  highest  importance,  that  you  examine 
yourself,  where  the  stress  of  your  dependence  for 
the  welfare  of  your  soul  rests  ?  Where  are  you  look- 
ing for  pardon,  strength,  comfort,  and  sanctification? 
Is  it  to  your  own  repentance,  endeavours,  prayers, 
and  good  qualities,  or,  through  them  all,  to  the  ex- 
liaustless  treasury  God  has  provided  for  poor,  guilty, 
helpless  men,  in  the  person  of  the  Saviour?  Blessed 

R 


X30  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

are  you,  if  you  have  a  testimony  in  your  conscience; 
thai,  lamtntiDg  your  natural  ignorance  and  blindness, 
you  call  upon  the  Lord  ro  enlighten  your  mind,  and 
to  give  you  a  distinct  efftctual  perception  of  the 
great  things  which  concern  your  everlasting  peace. 
Blessed  are  you,  if,  feeling  your  utter  inability  to 
sta-jd  acquitted  before  God,  by  \ our  reformation, 
duties,  and  prayers,  you  have  no  hope  but  in  what 
Clirist  has  done  and  sufFcied.  Blessed  are  you,  if, 
affl  cted  with  the  strength  of  your  corruptions,  and 
longing  for  more  love  to  God  and  man.  you  depend 
upon  Christ  to  work  this  divine  change  in  your  mind. 
Tins  is  to  believe  in  the  only  begotten  Son  of  God, 
wirhout  partialitv  and  without  hypocrisy.  This  is 
a  dependence  which  the  word  of  God  declares  shall 
never  be  coiifounded.  The  Giver  of  every  good  and 
perfect  gift  bestow  it  upon  you,  if  you  possess  it 
not ;  and  if  you  do,  increase  it  still  more  abundantly. 


PRAYER, 

Suited  to  the  preceding  chapter  on  Faith  in  Christ. 

GLORY  be  to  Thee,  O  Lord  and  heavenly  Father^ 
for  laying  help  upon  one  mighty  to  save,  one  chosen 
from  amongst  the  people ;  and  for  commanding  us 
to  place  our  whole  affiance  in  him. 

But  thou  knowest,  O  Lord,  our  pride  and  unbe- 
lief; how  unwilling  we  are  to  confess  our  sinfulness, 
or  make  application  to  him,  who  alone  can  deliver 
us.  Give  unto  us  grace  to  believe  on  the  name  of 
thy  only  begotten  Son  :  to  draw  nigh  to  thee,  de- 
pending only  on  his  atoning  death,  and  meritorious 
righteousness,  as  our  whole  safeguiud  from  the  wrath 
to  come,     Fiii  us  with  boiid  peace  anU  lively  hope 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  ISi 

towards  thee,  though  our  faith.  Thougjh  conscious 
of  daily  defilement  in  ourselves,  and  infinite  purity 
in  thee,  niav  vve  have  boldness  to  enter  into  the 
holiest.  rh'Oiii^h  the  blood  of  Christ,  and  cry  unto 
thee,  Ahba.  Father. 

May  vve  know  our  need  of  instruction  in  right- 
eoU')ness  ;  and  in  reading  thy  word,  and  in  prayer, 
depend  upon  Christ,  the  wonderful  Counsellor,  to 
reveal  to  us,  by  his  spirit,  what  is  for  our  profit. 
Help  us  against  our  vain  conceit  of  wisdom  aid  un- 
derstanding in  ourbcives,  that  we  may  draw  nigh  to 
Christ,  to  anoint  us  with  eye-salve,  Rov.  iii.  18  that 
we  may  receive  our  sight,  and  be  made  wise  unto 
salvation. 

And,  as  thou,  O  Lord  God,  knowest  all  our  weak* 
ness,  and  our  enemies  are  open  in  thy  sight,  may 
our  souls  be  stayed  upon  thee  ;  assured  that  thou 
wilt  come  with  a  strong  hand,  and  thy  arm  bhall 
rule  for  thee.  Instead  of  yielding  to  doubts  and  fears, 
(ever  ready  to  assault  us)  may  we  cleave  with  full 
purpose  of  heart  to  our  Head  and  Redeemer,  and  be 
strong  in  the  Lord,  and  the  power  of  his  might; 
walking  uprightly,  working  righteousness,  and  m 
all  things  adorning  our  profession. 

We  pray  for  the  spirit  of  wisdom  and  revelation 
in  the  knowledge  of  thy  Son,  that  his  powtr,  love, 
and  all-sufficient  mediation  may  be  our  chief  joy, 
and  richest  treasure  ;  that,  when  the  trying"  hour  of 
our  dissolution  draws  nigh,  and  natural  life,  with 
all  its  comforts,  is  about  to  cease  for  ever,  we  may 
know  in  whom  we  have  believed,  and  that  he  is 
able  to  keep  that  which  we  have  committed  unto 
him,  and  to  save  us,  for  his  own  name  and  truth's 
sake,  with  an  everlasting  salvation. 

We  beg  these  blessings,  O  heavenly  Father,  in 
dependence  upon  our  only  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ, 
who  liveth  and  reigneth  with  thee,  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  one  God.  Amen. 


U3  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

SUNDAY  XVIL 

CHAP.  XVII. 

The  Foundation  of  Faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

vxOD,  who,  in  infinite  grace,  planned  the  method 
of  salvation  through  Christ,  has  not  only  command- 
ed us  to  believe  in  him,  but,  from  the  entrance  of 
sin  into  our  world,  he  began  to  reveal  the  glory  of 
the  Redeemer,  on  whom  we  are  to  trust. 

This  testimony  is  the  rational,  immutable  founda- 
tion of  Christian  faith.  And  from  this  ample,  infal- 
lible testimony  which  God  hath  given  of  his  Son,  I 
shall  prove  there  is  no  part  of  our  misery,  as  sinners, 
for  which  an  all-sufficient  remedy  is  not  provided  in 
the  perfections  which  Jesus  possesses,  and  the  offices 
he  executes. 

Every  man,  it  has  been  shown  above,  is  chargea- 
ble with  the  sin  of  rebellion  against  his  Maker.  Con- 
sequently, every  man  stands  exposed  to  the  curse  of 
God's  violated  law :  and  no  sooner  do  we  cease  to 
dispute  with  him  about  the  justice  of  his  plainest 
declarations,  than  we  confess  ourselves  guilty,  and 
in  danger  of  eternal  ruin. 

The  first  question,  then,  of  utmost  moment  to  be 
resolved,  in  this,  What  sufficient  warrant  has  a  sin- 
ner and  a  rebel,  when  he  calls  upon  the  name  of 
Christ,  to  depend  on  his  blood  as  a  propitiation  for 
sin,  in  the  sight  of  God  ? 

The  answer  returned  by  the  divine  record  to  this 
question,  is  sufficient  to  give  strong  consolation  to 
the  most  guilty,  who  in  earnest  seek  acceptance  with 
their  Maker :  for  the  divine  record  displays  the  infi- 
yiite  majesty  of  Christ.     ''In  the  beginning^,   th^ 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  133 

Word  was  with  God,  and  the  Word  was  God.  All 
things  were  made  by  him,  and  without  him  was  not 
any  thing  made  that  was  made,"  John  i.  1 — 3.  *'By 
him  were  all  things  created,  that  are  in  heaven,  and 
that  are  in  earth,  visible  and  invisible  ;  whether  they 
be  thrones,  or  dominions,  or  principalities,  or  pow- 
ers, all  things  were  created  by  him,  and  for  him,  and 
he  is  before  all  things,  and  by  him  all  things  con- 
sist," Col.  i.  16,  17. 

On  account  of  this  original  glory,  when  the  Re- 
deemer came  into  our  world  to  save  that  which  was 
lost,  though  he  v/as  in  appearance  but  a  weeping- 
babe,  born  in  a  stable,  and  lying  in  a  manger,  yet  at 
that  moment  the  Father  said,  ''  Let  all  the  angels  of 
God  worship  him."  For  though  abased  in  this 
mysterious  manner,  he  is  God  manifest  in  the  fleshy 
the  Creator  of  angels.  He  is  Immanuel,  God 
with  us. 

In  this  character,  drawn  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  be- 
hold the  proper  object  of  every  ruined  sinner's  de- 
pendence. See  with  what  reason  you  are  command- 
ed to  confide  in  him,  who,  at  the  very  time  his  ap- 
pearance in  the  likeness  of  our  sinful  flesh  was  fore- 
told, had  his  glory  proclaimed  by  the  prophetic  her- 
ald in  this  magnificent  style  :  *'  Unto  us  a  child  is 
born,  unto  us  a  son  is  given,  and  the  government 
shall  be  upon  his  shoulders,  and  his  name  shall  be 
called  Wonderful,  Counsellor,  the  Mighty  God,  the 
Everlasting  Father,  the  Prince  of  Peace,"  Isa.  ix. 

Had  the  Lord  of  Hosts  only  declared,  that  one  of 
such  infinite  majesty  would  be  favorable  in  any  de- 
gree to  sinners,  and  plead  for  them  with  the  Father, 
that  they  might  be  forgiven,  this  would  have  justified 
our  dependence  upon  him.  For  a  Redeemer,  pos- 
sessed of  infinite  perfections,  must  be  a  fit  object  of 
confidence  to  the  soul  humbled  for  sin,  supposing 
he  had  been  pleased  to  elcclare  his  merciful  disposi* 


134  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

tion  towards  it.  But  Christ  has  done  much  more 
than  simply  declare  his  good  will  to  the  children  of 
men.  The  depth  of  his  humiliation,  and  the  pains 
of  his  death,  are  costly  astonishing  proofs  of  his 
love.  And  the  same  iiifallib  e  record,  which  teaches 
us  that  the  Redeemer  is  our  God,  assures  us,  that 
from  zeal  to  manifest  in  the  highest  degree  the  di- 
vine wisdom,  holiness,  and  grace,  and  from  pity  to 
a  ruined  world,  he  was  content  to  live  and  die  a  sub- 
stitute and  surety  for  sinners. 

In  the  fulness  of  time,  according  to  that  counsel  of 
peace  between  the  Father  and  Son,  recorded  in  the 
fortieth  psalm,  the  Saviour,  who  is  Christ  the  Lord, 
was   born  into  the  world  in  the  body  prepared  for 
him  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.     But  instead 
of  the  appearance  which  the  carnal  Jews  wisht  d  him 
to  assume,  (a  conqueror  over  all  enemies  to  hih  na- 
tion) he  was  counted  as  no  man.     And  though  men 
in  the  lowest  stations  have  generally  the  fewest  trou- 
bles, his  case  was  the  reverse,  the  reverse  of  the 
S^randeur  of  princes,  and  the  tranquillity  of  the  vul- 
gar.    Pre-eminence  in  the  multitude  and  weight  of 
his  sorrows,  and  the  very  first  place  among  the  (op- 
pressed, was  his  only  external  distinction.     Yet  a 
man  of  low  condition,  m  the  midst  of  troubles,  may 
have  a  high  character,  at  least  an  untainted  one  ;  but 
Jesus  made  himself  of  no  reputation  ;  he  bore  that 
vile  character  before  men,  which  man  bore  before  his 
Maker,  the  horrid  character  of  a  blasphemer :  nay, 
he  stooped  still  lower,  and  not  only  stood  as  a  crim- 
inal at  the  bar  of  Pilate,  but  appeared  such  by  impu- 
tation in  the  e\es  of   God.     *'  And  the  Lord  hath 
laid  on  him  the  iniquity  of  us  all."     Malefactors  are 
charged  only  with  the  crimes  they  have  done,  and 
with  only  a  few  of  those.     The  scripture  describes 
this  iniparalleled  sufferer  as  opj^ressed  with  the  in- 
numerable and  abominable  crimes  of  multitudes^ 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAKf.  J35 

like  sands  upon  the  sea- shore,  and  with  all  the  sins 
of  rach  individual  in  those  multitudes.  A  weight 
much  more  terrible  to  sustain,  than  we  are  able  to 
conceive;  though  we  know  this,  that  the  curse  of 
the  law  was  a  weight  sufficient  to  crush  a  world  :  for 
when  legions  of  angels,  who  excel  in  strength,  abus- 
ed that  strength  against  the  law,  it  sunk  them  from 
the  highest  heaven  to  the  lowest  hell. 

Je^u^  undertook  to  b' ar  this  weight.  *' He  was; 
made  sin.''  i  e.  a  sin-offering  and  a  curse  for  us; 
he  interposed  his  sacred  body  between  the  load  of 
wrath  from  above,  and  us  the  heirs  of  wrath  be- 
low. Instead  of  that  high  ineffable  communion  of 
love,  which  he  maintained  with  his  Father,  he  was 
content  to  feel  the  exquisite  torture  of  being  forsaken 
of  him.  It  pleased  tlie  Lord  to  bruise  him.  And 
now  he,  "  who  was  like  a  sheep  dumb  before  his 
shearers,"  is  dumb  no  longer.  The  Lamb  of  God, 
when  brought  to  this  most  dreadful  slaughter,  opens 
his  mouth,  and  pity  itself  must  cry  for  pity.  The 
impious  laiigu  ge  of  his  murderers,  was,  Where  is 
now  thy  God  ?  Behold,  in  the  prodigious  pangs  of 
his  soul,  something  like  the  same  language  comes 
from  his  own  mouth  :  He  cries  out.  My  God !  my 
God  !  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me  ?  Thus  scripture 
delineates  the  Redeemer's  humiliation ;  nor  with  less 
exactness  ascertains  the  end  for  which  he  stooped 
thus  low,  and  the  everlasting  benefits  he  thus  secur- 
ed to  all  his  faithful  dependants.  Notwithstanding 
ht  paid  so  dearly  for  it,  yet,  in  spite  of  all  the  op- 
position from  the  enemy  of  sinners,  and  from  sinners 
themselves,  he  obtained  a  perfect  conquest,  dying 
with  this  word  of  transport  in  his  mouth,  It  isfriis/i* 
ed  !  The  debt  of  penal  suffering,  and  of  perfect  obe- 
dience to  the  law,  is  paid  ;  the  powers  of  hell  are 
vanquished,  and  God  is  well  pleased. 

Poatler  thii  marvellous  transaction,  diis  horrible 


136  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

torment  and  death,  sustained  by  him  who  livcth  for 
evermore.  Consider  deeply  the  ignominy  of  his 
abasement,  and  the  extremity  of  his  anguish,  all  en- 
dured with  no  other  view,  than  to  make  atonement 
for  sin,  and  purchase  redemption  for  all  who  should 
ever  trust  in  his  name.  Consider  this  fact,  and  then 
you  may  say,  it  is  not  possible  for  the  mostaiRicted 
conscience  to  desire  a  surer  foundation  to  trust  in  for 
pardon  and  acceptance  with  God.  What  can  the 
law  demand  of  you,  either  to  exempt  from  suffering 
its  penalty,  or  as  a  title  to  eternal  life,  which  this 
vicarious  obedience  and  sacrifice  of  God  manifest  in 
the  flesh,  has  not  abundantly  provided  in  behalf  of 
all  true  believers  ? 

I  will  suppose  your  sins  enormous,  and  crying 
with  the  loudest  cry  for  vengeance  :  still,  can  they 
have  so  much  weight  to  condenwi  you,  who,  in  an- 
guish for  your  offences,  depend  upon  Jesus,  as  the 
blood  of  an  incarnate  God  has,  to  cleanse  you  from 
all  sin  ?  Who  dare  say,  your  offences  have  dishon- 
ored God's  law,  so  much  as  the  obedience  and  death 
of  the  Redeemer  has  magnified  it  ?  or  that  those 
transgressions  have  not  been  fully  expiated,  for  which 
the  Lawgiver  himself  submitted  to  be  put  to  death  ? 
Though  you  are  shocked  at  the  daring  presumption 
©f  expecting  pardon,  on  the  vague  notion  of  mere 
mercy,  now  your  understanding  is  enlightened,  and 
your  conscience  faithful  in  its  rebukes  ;  though  you 
cannot  give  into  the  modish  religion,  which  leaves 
the  justice  of  the  Most  High,  and  the  law  of  the 
Most  Holy,  destitute  of  their  due  honor ;  nor  trust 
to  obedience  and  future  amendment,  to  atone  for 
past  offences  ;  yet  steadfastly  fix  your  eyes  on  the 
matchless  ransom  paid  by  Jesus  on  the  cross.  Sec, 
there,  the  glory  of  the  Holy  God,  reconciled  with 
the  salvation  of  criminals  :  see,  there,  the  justice  of 
God  appear  more  awful  than  if  mercy  had  been  ex- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  13? 

eluded;  and  mercy  more  amiable,  than  if  justice  had 
been  given  up.  See  how  vengeance  and  forbearance 
there  meet  together;  vengeance  on  the  crucified 
Redeemer,  and,  for  his  sake,  forbearance  to  all  be- 
lieving penitents.  See,  there,  wrath  and  love  kiss 
each  other ;  wrath  towards  the  divine  Surety  and 
Substitute,  love  to  insolvent  sinners.  By  this  infi- 
nitely wise  contrivance,  every  honor  done  to  the 
criminals  is  an  honor  done  to  the  law,  because  they 
receive  it  only  through  the  satisfaction  and  obedience 
paid  to  it  by  their  Surety  :  and  ail  the  respect  put 
upon  the  law  puts  respect  also  upon  the  criminals, 
because  he  who  undertook  to  pay  their  debt,  and 
bear  their  curse,  is  God  and  man  in  one  Christ. 

Is  not  this  transaction  a  solid  ground  of  peace  to 
the   broken  in  heart  ?  A  transaction  in  which  God 
holds  forth  his  equal  Son  to  be  a  propitiation  for  sin 
through  faith  in  **his  blood,  that  he  might  be  just, 
and  yet  the  justifier  of  all  who  believe  in  Jesus." 
What  cloud  so  black  can  hang  over  the  mind,  which 
this  truth  is  not  able  to  dispel  ?  It  is  designed  to  give 
light  to  them  that  sit  in  darkness,  and  the  shadow  of 
death,  and  to  guide  their  feet  into  the  way  of  peace. 
Further,  this  ground  for  depending  on  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  to  obtain  forgiveness,  will  be  found  still 
more  adapted  to  our  guilty  state,   when  you  know 
the  way  in  which  men  become  partakers  of  Christ. 
The  great  generally  sell,  even  what  they  call  their 
favors.     Powerful  recommendations,   or  long  ser- 
vices,  only  induce  them  to  give  preferment.     Far 
otherwise,  as  our  impotent  condition  requires,  is  the 
case  respecting  our  pardon  from  God.     No  works 
of  righteousness  are  required  to  be  first  performed 
as  a  recommendation,   no  set  of  holy  tempers,  or 
stock  of  moral  virtue.     These  are  fruits  which  ever 
follow  upon  true  belief  in  Christy  and  from  grace 


13&  COMPLETE  DUTY  OP  MAN- 

received  by  constant  dependence  upon  him.  The 
invitation  to  sinners  is  expressed  in  the  most  en- 
couraging terms.  "Ho!  every  one  that  thirsteth, 
come  ye  to  the  waters,  and  he  that  hath  no  money, 
[no  single  vahiable  quality]  yea,  come  buy  wine  and 
milk  without  money  and  without  price."  Isaiah  Iv. 
'*The  Son  of  Man  is  come  to  seek  and  to  save  that 
which  was  lost;"  the  ungodly,  sinners,  enemies  to 
God.  Can  a  conscience,  loaded  with  crimes  of 
largest  size,  of  deepest  dye,  and  beyond  number, 
conceive  a  refuge  more  adapted  to  its  distressed 
condition  ?  or  more  free  promises  of  reconciliation 
and  peace  with  God  ? 

But  should  neither  the  divinity  of  the  Redeemer, 
nor  the  merit  of  his  sacrifice,  nor  his  invitations  to 
all  who  thirst  for  salvation,  be  sufficient  to  engage 
your  entire  dependence  on  him  for  pardon,  there  is 
still  another  ground  for  trusting  in  him,  his  office. 
Every  high-priest,  says  the  scripture,  "  taken  from 
among  men,  is  ordained  for  men  :"  all  his  influence 
and  power  is  to  be  employed  for  their  spiritual 
good.  The  things  appointed  for  him  to  do  strongly 
prove  this  ;  for  he  was  to  offer  gifts  and  sacrifices 
for  sin  ;  sacrifices  to  make  an  atonement,  and  gifts, 
on  account  of  which,  it  became  God  to  continue  his 
favor,  though  forfeited.  The  one  grand  indispen- 
sable qualification  therefore  for  the  office,  was  a 
heart,  which  knew  how  to  have  compassion  on 
them  that  are  ignorant,  and  out  of  the  way  of  duty 
and  safety. 

But  this  office  of  high-priest,  and  its  functions,  we 
are  infallibly  taught,  were  only  designed  to  serve 
unto  the  example  and  shadow  of  heavenly  things ; 
i.  e.  to  be  a  way  of  teaching  us,  by  objects  of  sense, 
the  office  wliich  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  bears  in  the 
highest  heavens,  and  what  sinners  are  to  expect  from 
him.     ''He  is  made  an  high-priest  of  good  things 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  139 

to  come.  He  is  entered  with  his  own  blood  into 
heaven  itself,  to  appear  in  the  presence  of  God  for 
us:"  consequently  is  under  the  strongest  engage- 
ments of  office,  to  mediate  eifectually  for  all  who 
shall  ever  come  to  God  by  him. 

And  lest  we  should  fear  we  are  too  mean  or  vile 
to  engage  his  most  active  pity,  particular  mention 
is  made,  that  he  is  "touched  with  a  feeling  of  our 
infirmities,  having  been  in  all  points  tempted  like  as 
we  are,  yet  without  sin."  Therefore,  from  an  ex* 
perimental  knowledge  of  all  our  difficuhies,  hard- 
ships, and  distresses,  he  hath  that  exquisitely  tender 
sympathy  with  us,  which  otherwise  would  not  have 
been  possible. 

Is  your  spirit  then  wounded  by  sin  ?  Listen  not  to 
your  fears  ;  parley  not  with  the  accuser ;  look  to  the 
intercessor  for  the  transgressors.  He  must  first 
prove  false  to  the  engagements  of  his  most  holy  of- 
fice, and  do  violence  to  the  bowels  of  mercy,  which 
constitute  his  fitness  for  it,  before  your  humble  de^ 
pendence  on  his  blood  and  intercession  can  be  dis- 
appointed. 

After  all  we  have  advanced,  blessed  be  God,  there 
remains  yet  another  ground  of  confidence  in  the 
Saviour  for  remission  of  sins,  to  all  who  call  on  him, 
I  mean  repeated  assurances  from  God,  that  the  sac- 
rifice of  his  Son  is  in  his  sight  a  complete  atonement 
for  their  sins,  who  believe  in  the  name  of  Christ,  and 
shall  save  them  for  evermore.  Declarations  of  this 
import  are  so  many,  that  we  can  select  only  a  few  of 
the  chief. 

Isaiah,  in  his  affecting  account  of  this  great  event, 
having  affirmed  that  Jesus  suffered  as  a  substitute  for 
sinners,  being  wounded  for  our  transgression,  and 
bruised  for  our  iniquity,  thus  magnificently  des- 
cribes the  efficacy  of  his  sufferings  :  "  He  shall  see  of 
the  travail  of  his  soul,  and  shall  be  satisfied :  by  his 


UO  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

knowledge  shall  my  righteous  servant  justify  many ; 
for  he  shall  bear  their  iniquities;  bear  them  away," 
as  the  scapegoat  did,  carrying  them  into  the  pathless 
wilderness,  no  more  to  be  found,  though  sought  for 
by  the  malicious  tempter  and  accuser. 

The  angel  Gabriel  is  commissioned  to  revive  the 
heart  of  Daniel,  greatly  beloved  of  God.  For  this 
purpose  he  assures  him,  that  when  Messiah  the 
prince  was  cut  oflf,  he  shall,  in  that  oblation  of 
himself  on  the  cross,  accomplish  a  work  of  infinite 
glory  :  "  He  shall  finish  transgression,''  by  expiating 
it,  and  redeeming  all  from  its  curse  who  should  be- 
lieve in  him.  "He  shall  make  an  end  of  sin,"  by  de- 
livering (in  virtue  of  his  death)  all  from  its  detesta- 
ble dominion,  who  shall  call  upon  him.  "  He  shall 
make  reconciliation  for  iniquity,"  by  a  full,  perfect, 
and  sufficient  sacrifice  and  satisfaction.  "He  shall 
bring  in  everlasting  righteousness,"  a  righteousness 
which  will  justify  all  who  believe,  throughout  all 
ages,  and  with  which  everlasting  life  stands  connect- 
ed by  the  promise  of  God.  After  the  testimony  of  a 
prophet,  and  an  angel,  hear  the  voice  of  God  from 
heaven:  "This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am 
well  pleased."  His  life  and  death  magnifies  my 
law,  redeems  sinners  from  its  curse,  and  is  of  all 
things  on  earth,  or  in  heaven,  incomparably  the 
noblest  in  my  eyes.  The  Redeemer  himself  bears 
the  same  strong  attestation  to  the  efficacy  of  his  death, 
as  the  salvation  of  his  church.  "  God  so  loved  the 
world,  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  to  the  end 
that  all  who  believe  in  him  should  not  perish,  but 
have  everlasting  life.  My  flesh  I  give  for  the  life  of 
the  world.' — This  is  my  blood  of  the  New  Testament, 
shed  for  the  remission  of  the  sins  of  many."  Weigh 
well  these  decisive  testimonies.  They  will  constrain 
3^ou  to  say,  nothing  more  could  have  been  done  to 
take  away  every  objection  a  guilty  wounded  spirit 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  141 

can  make  against  its  obtaining  forgiveness.  With 
equal  propriety  and  mercy  is  this  call  addressed  to 
perishing  sinners :  **  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  la- 
bour, and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  refresh  you.'* 
My  body  bore  your  sins  on  the  tree,  when  I  suffer- 
ed, the  just  for  the  unjust;  my  blood  was  shed  to 
cleanse  you.  I,  the  brightness  of  the  Father's  glory, 
and  the  express  image  of  his  person,  who  uphold  all 
things  by  the  word  of  my  power,  purged  away  sin 
by  the  sacrifice  of  myself,  and  am  set  down  a  me- 
diator on  the  right  hand  of  the  Majesty  on  high. 
Believe,  therefore,  on  me,  and  you  shall  receive 
remission  of  sins,  and  never  perish. 


SUNDAY  XVIIL 
CHAP.  XVIII. 

The  same  Subject  con^nued. 

W  E  have  proved  the  exceeding  abundant  grace  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  save  from  the  guilt  of  sin. 
We  are  now  to  shew  what  foundation  there  is  to  de- 
pend  upon  him  for  knowledge,  strength,  and  ever- 
lasting salvation. 

As  man's  first  di:  ;bedience  sprung  from  his  im- 
pious desire  to  be  as  the  gods  in  knowledge,  the 
righteous  punishment  of  his  sin  was,  extinction  of 
light  in  his  soul.  Hence  we  are  born  blind  to  God, 
and  the  things  of  God,  though  the  knowledge  of 
them  be  far  more  desirable  than  life  itself.  Hence 
we  are  in  perpetual  danger  of  delusion,  and,  by  our 
lusts,  prejudiced  strongly  against  the  trutii. 

In  these  circumstances,  God  is  pleased  graciously 


142  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

to  command  us  to  depend  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
to  recover  our  sight,  and  enrich  us  with  spiritual 
knowledge.  To  prove  the  reasonableness  of  this 
dependence,  the  Father  declares,  he  hath  given 
Christ  for  a  light  to  the  Gentiles  ;  to  open  the  blind 
eyes,  Isa.  xlii. 

Malachi  calls  him  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  ;  for 
as  the  sun  in  the  firmament  dispenses  invigorating 
influence  through  the  whole  earth,  unveils  the  face 
of  every  object  in  the  visible  creation,  and  gives  it  to 
be  seen  in  its  true  situation ;  so  the  Redeemer,  by 
his  word  and  spirit,  scatters  darkness  from  the  mind, 
makes  divine  truth  visible,  and  strengthens  our  dim 
faculties  to  behold  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  and  the 
excellency  of  our  God.  Zacharias,  full  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  celebrates  the  appearance  of  Christ  as  an  ef- 
fectual teacher  of  men  in  things  of  the  utmost  mo- 
ment, which  the  use  and  exercise  of  their  own  ra- 
tional faculties  could  never  have  discovered.  He  calls 
Jesus  the  day-spring  from  on  high,  rising  tlirough 
the  tender  mercy  of  our  God,  to  give  light  to  them 
that  sit  in  darkness  and  the  shadow  of  death,  and  to 
guide  their  feet  in  the  way  of  peace.  The  Baptist 
points  him  out  as  the  person  from  whom  all  the  di- 
vine knowledge  proceeds,  which  ever  was  or  will  be 
amongst  men.  This  is  the  true  light,  that  lighteth 
every  man  that  conieth  into  the  world. 

The  Redeemer  himself  confirms  these  high  testi- 
monies, when  the  Jews  attempted  to  ensnare  him 
by  their  subtle  and  captious  questions.  He  said  unto 
them,  ''I  am  the  light  of  the  world  :"  what  possibil- 
ity then  is  there  of  deceiving  me,  or  deluding,  by 
your  falsehoods,  my  disciples  ?  "  He  that  followcth 
nie  shall  not  walk  in  darkness,  but  shall  have  the 
light  of  life."  How  could  he  more  strongly  assert, 
that  he  came  to  make  the  w^ay  from  earth  to  heaven 
plain  before  sinners. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  ^43 

St.  Paul,  inspired  by  the  Holy  Gbjost,  teaches  the 
church,  that  Christ  is  made  of  God,  unto  all  who 
beheve,  wisdom  ;  and  that  God,  "  who  caused  the 
light  to  shine  out  of  darkness,  hath  shined  into  our 
hearts,  to  give  us  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God 
in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ,  in  whom  are  all  the  trea- 
sures of  wisdom  and  knowledge  hid  :"  covered  un- 
der the  veil  of  humanity,  and  the  depth  of  his  hu- 
miliation. Observe  the  strong  import  of  his  expres- 
sion ;  the  aposde  does  not  say  treasure  mtliQ  singu- 
lar number,  though  this  implies  excellency  and 
abundance  of  knowledge,  but  treasures.  He  doth 
not  only  say  treasures y  though  this  would  have  greatly- 
enlarged  our  conceptions ;  but  he  saith,  in  whom 
all  'he  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge  are  hid. 
So  that  nothing  pertaining  to  spiritual  life  and  godli- 
ness can  be  imagined,  no  knowledge  in  the  least 
degree  profitable  to  poor,  weak,  helpless,  sinful 
creatures,  which  is  not  to  be  found  in  Christ,  as  in 
an  inexhaustible  magazine,  provided  by  the  God 
of  glorv  for  the  supply  of  our  necessities. 

In  this  emphatical  manner  do  the  scriptures  exalt 
Christ,  in  his  prophetic  office,  as  appearing  to  make 
a  complete  revelation  of  the  name  of  God,  his  will 
and  designs  concerning  us  ;  and  after  having  deliver- 
ed, as  the  prophets  before  him,  the  words  of  pure 
truth,  he  was  not,  as  they,  impotent  to  impress  effec- 
tual! v  what  they  taught.  This  prophet  of  all  ages 
and  nations  declares,  "  I  will  send  unto  you  another 
Comforter,  even  the  spirit  of  truth,  he  shall  lead  you 
into  all  truth." 

Do  you  then  feel  your  ignorance  in  religion,  and 
bewail  the  dulness  in  your  understanding  to  appre- 
hend  spiritual  things,  and  a  weariness  when  your 
attention  is  turned  to  them  ?  Are  you  grieved  to 
find  so  much  ob-.curity  rest  upon  the  book  of  God, 
when  it  is  before  you  ?  Behold  your  relief.     The 


iU  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

scripture  exhorts  you  to  depend  upon  Christ,  to 
give  you  all  the  knowledge  you  need.  What  can 
induce  you  to  make  \application  to  him,  if  not  the 
declaration,  that  he  left  the  bosom  of  the  Father  to 
declare  him  ?  What  can  encourage  our  utmost  con- 
fidence of  success,  if  the  manner  in  which  his  Church 
publishes  their  success  fails  ?  *'  The  Son  of  God  is 
come,  and  hath  given  us  an  understanding,  that  we 
may  know  him  that  is  true."  He  hath  given  us  not 
only  our  intellect,  which  distinguishes  us  from  the 
world  of  animals,  for  this  was  ever  common  to  all 
men ;  he  hath  given  us  not  only  the  revealed  word, 
which  deluded  pretenders  have  as  well  as  we ;  but 
he  hath  given  us,  say  the  faithful  in  Christ,  the  spirit 
of  wisdom  and  revelation,  in  the  knowledge  of  him- 
self, the  truth.  They  who  bear  this  testimony  were 
once  as  ignorant  and  dark  as  you  can  be.  When 
blind  Bartimeous  cried  out,  *'  Jesus,  thou  Son  of 
David,  have  mercy  on  me,  that  1  may  receive  my 
sight,"  they  that  stood  by  said,  "  Be  of  good  com- 
fort, rise,  he  calleth  thee."  But  the  same  compas- 
sionate Saviour  addresses  thee,  thou  child  of  ignor- 
ance, from  his  glorious  high  throne,  in  terms  no  less 
kind  :  "1  counsel  thee  to  buy  of  me  eye-salve,  that 
thou  may  St  see  ;"  have  the  knowledge  of  God,  and 
aright  judgment  in  all  things.  Light,  not  only  to 
see  the  way  of  life,  but  to  discover  and  baffle  the 
devices  of  the  enemy :  for  before  Christ  all  things  are 
naked,  even  the  deepest  counsels  of  the  destroyer, 
and  all  his  cruel  snares.  He  knows  how,  with  equal 
ease  and  certainty,  to  confound  his  force,  and  infatu- 
ate the  author  of  all  subtlety  and  malice.  He  came 
to  ruin  all  his  contrivances  against  the  faithful,  ac- 
cording to  the  name  of  glory  first  given  him.  Bruiser 
of  the  Serpent's  Head.  How  worthy  then  is  this 
matchless  person  to  be  trusted  with  unshaken  con- 
fidence for  our  instructor  and  guide  all  our  days,  to 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  HS 

deliver  the  godly  out  of  every  temptation  and  pre- 
serve them  safe  unto  his  own  kingdom  I 


SUNDAY  XIX. 


CHAP.  XIX. 


The  Ground  for  Faith  in  Christ  to  turn  us  from  all 
Iniquity. 

JN  ATURALLY  blind,  wc  are  also  slaves  to  aii 
earthly,  sensual,  devilish  spirit.  This  sad  truth  is 
often  felt  in  remorse,  shame,  loss,  and  many  incon- 
veniences. Then  we  wish  ourselves  free ;  and,  con- 
fident in  our  own  strength,  determine  no  more  to 
yield.  But  the  very  next  temptation  adapted  to  our 
beloved  lust  prevails  as  easily  as  did  the  former ;  so 
that,  soon  disheartened  by  repeated  foils,  we  give 
up  the  all- important  contest,  we  begin  to  palliate  and 
excuse  the  ignominious  slavery,  which  we  find  no 
heart  to  shake  off. 

This  is  the  state  of  man.  And,  take  notice,  ex- 
perience concurs  with  scripture  to  prove,  that  no 
share  of  good  sense,  or  superior  learning,  or  good 
education,  give  men  power  to  resist  their  corrupt 
nature,  any  more  than  savage  ignorance.  The  most 
these  advantages  can  do,  is  only  to  gild  those  shac- 
kles they  can  never  break,  and  slightly  conceal  from 
the  superficial  eye  of  a  fellow- creature  what  still  galls 
and  defiles  the  inner  man. 

This  subjection  to  sin  is  grievous  to  a  soul  bom 
again,  as  the  infamy  of  vassalage  to  a  free  citizen. 
Enlightened  to  judge  aright,  you  will  long  to  have 
your  iniquities  subdued ;  and,  without  strength  ia 

T 


4,4,6  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

yourself,  you  will  gladly  implore  deliverance  from 
such  tyrannical  oppression.  In  sure  and  certain 
hope  of  this  deliverance,  God  commands  you  to 
depend  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  To  justify  your 
dependence,  a  display  is  given  of  his  power,  such 
as  makes  the  slightest  suspicion  of  miscarriage  un- 
reasonable to  the  last  degree.  For  the  ancient  pro- 
phets, describing  his  majesty,  call  him,  ''  The  Lord 
of  Hosts,  the  Lord  mighty  in  battle,  who  has  the 
earth  for  his  footstool,  and  heaven  for  his  throne  ;  the 
light  for  his  garment ;  the  clouds  for  his  chariot ;  the 
thunder  for  his  voice  ;  and  all  the  legions  of  angels 
for  his  servants. 

And,  lest  his  deep  abasement  of  himself  should 
weaken  our  idea  of  his  mighty  power  to  save,  we 
have  a  very  particular  relation  of  the  wonders 
wrought  by  him  in  the  days  of  his  flesh.  Innumera- 
ble multitudes  of  diseased  and  impotent  people  were 
brought  to  his  feet,  and  by  his  word  instantly  made 
whole,  every  one  of  them.  The  dumb  and  deaf, 
the  blind  and  dead,  his  energy  restored  to  the 
blessing  of  life,  or  the  full  exercise  of  all  their  facul- 
ties and  powers.  The  whole  creation  he  commanded 
with  absolute  sway.  Though  winds  and  storms  are 
mighty,  yet  Jesus  of  Nazareth  rebukes  them,  and 
they  are  hushed  into  silence.  The  weaves  of  the  sea 
rage  horrible,  yet  sink  at  his  w^ord  into  a  perfect 
calm.  Death  and  the  grave,  to  mortals  inexorable, 
cannot  one  moment  detain  their  prey,  when  Jesus 
saith,  "Lazarus,  arise."  The  powers  of  darkness, 
though  more  mighty  than  diseases,  storms,  and 
death,  crouch  before  him,  and  adore  him  as  their 
Lord. 

Further,  to  encourage  sinners  to  confide  in  him 
as  a  deliverer  from  the  tyranny  of  sin,  Jesus,  when 
on  earth,  carried  about  with  him  many  monuments 
of  his  saving  power.     Publicans,  the  w^orst  of  men, 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  \i7 

harlots,  the  most  infamous  of  women,  he  separated 
from  their  inveterate  kists,  giving  proof,  in  each  of 
these  instances,  that  no  one  can  be  so  enslaved  to 
sin  and  Satan,  but  he  can  make  them  free  indeed. 
After  preaching  this  transporting  truth  with  his 
own  lips,  and  confirming  it  day  by  day  during  his 
ministry,  he  displays  his  power  to  the  height  at  the 
very  hour  of  his  death.  Behold  him  hanging  on 
the  cross,  his  vissage  frightfully  blotted  and  mangled, 
his  whole  body  covered  with  marks  of  scorn,  swelled 
with  strokes  of  violence,  bedewed  from  head  to  foot 
with  his  own  blood  I  Is  he  a  deliverer  from  sin  ? 
Can  he  save  ?  Hearken,  though  thus  low  himself, 
his  power  and  grace  destroy  in  a  moment  the  do- 
minion of  sin  and  Satan,  in  the  utmost  strength  wc 
can  possibly  conceive  it.  He  says  to  the  dying 
malefactor,  who  turned  to  him  with  the  prayer  of 
faith,  "  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  thee,  this  day  shalt 
thou  be  with  me  in  paradise.''  I  will  carry  thee  up 
with  me  into  heaven,  as  a  trophy  of  my  victory 
over  Satan,  and  will  show  thee  there  as  part  of  the 
spoils  which  shall  adorn  my  triumph  over  hell. 
He  snatches  this  abandoned  wretch  as  a  brand  out 
of  the  fire,  an  earnest  of  the  everlasting  salvation  of 
all  who  should  ever  call  upon  him.  He  snatches 
from  the  very  jaws  of  hell  one  who  seemed  not 
only  void  of  grace,  but  past  it ;  and  in  an  instant 
sanctifies  that  heart,  which  had  been  for  many  years 
the  habitation  of  devils,  and  the  hold  of  every  foul 
spirit,  and  a  cage  of  every  unclean  and  hateful 
bird. 

In  this  conquest,  the  Redeemer  acted  with  a 
double  view,  to  prove  himself  the  Messiah;  and  gave 
an  indisputable  warrant  for  sinners,  even  the  chief, 
to  call  upon  him,  that  they  may  be  saved. 

Should  it  be  said,  the  Redeemer's  death  and  burial 
indicate  his  weakness,  Christians  reply,  he  lay  in  the 


148  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

grave,  not  as  a  subject,  but  as  a  conqueror;  he  came 
there  to  draw  out  the  sting  from  the  king  of  terrors ; 
and  on  the  third  day  from  his  death,  triumph  as  the 
resurrection  and  the  life,  in  whom  whosoever  livcth 
and  beheveth  shall  never  die.  The  language  of  his 
resurrection  was  full  of  power  :  it  spoke  again,  ''  Thy 
dead  men  shall  live,  together  with  my  dead  body 
shall  they  arise  :  Awake  and  sing,  ye  that  dwell  in 
the  dust,  for  thy  dew  is  as  the  dew  of  herbs,  and 
the  earth  shall  cast  out  the  dead."  Isaiah  xxvi. 

These  ample  testimonies  of  decisive  authority 
prove  the  power  of  Jesus,  and  present  him  before 
our  eyes  as  a  fit  object  of  unreserved  dependence  for 
deliverance  from  the  power  of  sin.  And  they  are 
still  corroborated  by  declarations  both  in  the  Old  and 
New  Testament.  Hear  how  every  doubt  is  answer- 
ed, and  all  desponding  thoughts  reproved. 

''Say  to  them  that  are  of  a  fearful  heart,  [under  a 
lively  view  of  their  own  weakness,  sins,  and  corrup- 
tion] Be  strong,  fear  not :  behold,  your  God  will 
come  with  vengeance,  even  God  with  a  recom pence, 
he  will  come  and  save  vou,"  Isaiah  xxxv.  '*  Behold  ! 
the  Lord  God  will  come  with  a  strong  hand,  and 
his  arm  shall  rule  for  him  :  behold,  his  reward  is 
%vith  him,  and  his  Vv^ork  is  before  him  ;  he  shall  feed 
his  flock  like  a  shepherd  ;  he  shall  gather  the  lambs 
with  his  arm,  and  carry  them  in  his  bosom,  and  shall 
gently  lead  those  that  are  with  young  :  he  shall  bring 
forth  judgment  unto  truth,"  Isaiah  xl,  and  xlii. 

Confident  of  the  certainty  of  these  declarations, 
St.  Peter  addresses  the  Jews,  though  a  people  aban- 
doned to  all  wickedness,  and  tells  them,  that  "  God 
having  raised  up  his  Son  Jesus,  sent  him  to  bless 
them,  by  turning  every  one  of  them,  w^ho  shall  call 
upon  his  name,  from  their  iniquities. 

See  how  magnificently  St.  Paul  describes  the  ex- 
ceeding greatness  of  Christ's  power  to  save  from. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  149 

sin  and  hell.  *'God  [saith  he]  hath  raised  him  from 
the  dead,  and  set  him  at  his  own  right  hand  in  heav- 
enly places,  far  above  all  principality  and  power,  and 
might  and  dominion,  and  every  name  that  is  named, 
not  only  in  this  world,  but  also  in  that  which  is  to 
come  ;  and  hath  put  all  things  under  his  feet,  and 
given  him  to  be  head  over  all  things  to  the  church, 
which  is  his  bodv,  the  fulness  of  him  that  fiUeth  all 
in  all,"  Eph.  i.  20—23. 

Magnify  then,  as  you  please,  the  number  or 
strength  of  temptations ;  the  weakness  or  corrup- 
tion of  our  nature  ;  the  power  of  Satan,  and  of  evil 
habits  ;  still,  u-hat  are  all  these  before  him,  who 
gave  himself  to  redeem  men  from  all  iniquity,  and 
to  purify  to  himself  a  peculiar  people,  zealous  of 
good  works  ?  What  before  him,  whose  office,  as 
king  in  Zion,  is  to  turn  from  darkness  unto  light, 
from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God,  and  enrich  the 
fallen  soul  with  that  holiness  which  shall  make  it 
meet  for  heaven  ?  What  are  these  usurpers,  avarice, 
lewdness,  envy,  malice,  or  unbelief,  by  whom 
strengthened,  that  they  should  be  too  hard  for  him 
utterly  to  subdue,  from  whose  fulness  all  the  saints 
who  ever  lived  on  earth  received  their  every  excel- 
lency, and  all  the  angels  their  spotless  purity  ?  Was 
it  possible  to  prove  that  one  single  persevering  de- 
pendant on  the  power  and  grace  of  Christ  ever  died 
in  sin,  how  could  the  promises  of  God  concerning 
his  Son  be  true,  or  he  answer  the  character  given  of 
him?  Either  he  must  be  flilsely  described  in  scrip- 
ture, or  this  conclusion  be  infallible  :  *'  if  the  Son 
shall  make  you  free,  you  shall  be  free  indeed.''  All 
your  evil  tempers  shall  be  subdued,  and  you  be  pre- 
served blameless  in  spirit,  soul,  and  body. 

So  able  is  Christ  to  save.  1  proceed  to  prove  he 
is  as  ready  and  willing,  by  evidence  the  most  de- 
cisive.    What  means  his  humiliation  from  first  to 


BO,  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

last  ?  His  pleading  with  sinners  all  the  day,  and  his 
midnight  intercessions  for  them  ?  What  mean  his 
invitations?  *'Ho,  every  one  that  thirsteth,  let  him 
come  unto  me,  and  drink.  Whosoever  cometh  unto 
me,  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out :"  What  was  it,  but 
love,  in  the  highest  degree,  which  made  him  so  long 
endure  a  condition  in  all  respects  the  reverse  of  his 
original  glory?  Instead  of  hallelujahs  from  the  an- 
gelic host,  blasphemous  revilings  from  the  children 
of  the  devil ;  instead  of  joy  inconceivable,  an  heart 
in  the  midst  of  his  body  like  melting  wax,  through 
the  intenseness  of  his  anguish  ;  instead  of  adoration 
from  myriads  of  ministering  spirits,  buft'etings, 
bloody  scourges  on  his  back,  and  on  his  face  a  load 
of  spittle  ;  instead  of  his  throne  high  and  lifted  up, 
before  which  the  whole  host  of  heaven  cry,  **Holy, 
holy,  holy  is  the  Lord  of  hosts :  heaven  and  earth 
is  full  of  thy  glory  !"  a  cross  between  two  thieves, 
in  the  midst  of  insulting  shouts,  and  the  frowns  of 
eternal  justice. 

Come  hither,  behold  and  see  if  there  was  ever  love 
like  this.  Come,  and  hear  his  voice  in  the  height  of 
all  his  sufferings :  looking  upon  his  murderers,  when 
his  eyes  were  about  to  close  in  death,  he  cried, ''Fa- 
ther, forgive  them,  for  they  know  not  what  they  do." 

Now  then,  if  you  can,  doubt.  Now,  if  it  be  pos- 
sible, question  his  iviH'mgness  to  save  poor  sinners, 
turning  to  them  with  the  prayer  of  faith,  who  prayed 
even  for  his  bitterest  foes. 

In  the  last  place,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  as 
proper  a  person  to  trust  for  eternal  salvation,  as  for 
wisdom,  strength,  and  righteousness  in  this  life. 
His  dominion  reaches  equally  over  the  world  in 
which  \Yt  dwell,  and  that  into  which  death  trans- 
lates us. 

*'  Fear  not,"  saith  the  Saviour,  "  I  am  the  first 
and  the  last,  I  am  he  that  liveth,  and  was  dead,  and 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  I51 

behold  I  am  alive  for  ever  more,  and  have  the  keys 
of  hell  and  the  grave.  I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for 
you ;  and  if  1  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you,  I  will 
come  again  and  receive  you  unto  myself,  that  where 
I  am,  there  you  may  be  also."  And  in  his  last 
solemn  prayer  for  all  who  should  ever  believe  in  him, 
he  declares  his  infinite  love,  and  their  eternal  salva- 
tion. **  Father,  I  will  that  they  also,  whom  thou 
hast  given  me,  be  with  me  where  I  am,  that  they 
may  behold  my  glory,  which  thou  hast  given  me." 
After  a  constant  exercise,  therefore,  of  depend- 
ence on  Christ  to  save  from  the  guilt,  defilement, 
and  power  of  sin,  from  ignorance,  temptation,  and 
every  enemy  which  can  assault  us  in  the  way,  what 
well-grounded  comfort,  what  abounding  hope  in 
death,  is  his  name,  and  faith  in  his  name,  able  to  in- 
spire !  Able  to  make  us  die  in  triumph,  no  less  than 
live  in  righteousness  ;  to  copy  the  pattern  of  the  first 
martyr  in  the  Christian  church,  to  behold  by  faith 
what  he  saw  without  a  veil,  and  expire  in  peace  and 
joy,  saying  "Lord  Jesus,  into  thy  hands  I  commend 
my  spirit." 


PRAYER, 

Suited  to  the  preceding  Subject. 

O  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST,  display,  we  entreat 
thee,  the  glory  of  thy  name,  that  we  may  exult  and 
extol,  and  honor  thee,  even  as  we  honor  the  Father. 
Enlighten  the  eyes  of  our  understanding,  that  we  may 
know  thou  hast  fulfilled  all  righteousness,  magnifi- 
ed the  law,  and  made  it  honorable  ;  finished  trans- 
gression by  thy  death  on  the  cross,  made  reconcilia- 
tion for  iniquity,   and  brought  in  everlasting  right- 


152  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

eousness.  Take  away  all  unbelief,  that  thy  blood 
and  righteousness  may  be  our  shield  against  all  the 
fiery  darts  of  the  wicked  one,  and  a  covert  from  the 
tempest  of  divine  wrath  due  to  our  sins.  So  shall 
our  hearts  be  set  at  liberty  from  all  fear  that  hath 
torment,  and  we  shall  run  the  way  of  thy  command- 
ments. 

Give  us  grace,  O  good  Lord,  to  be  strong  in  thy 
power  and  might,  against  all  the  enemies  of  our 
souls.  Assure  our  hearts  against  all  suggestions  to 
the  contrary,  that  thou  art  able  and  faithful,  and  wilt 
subdue  our  iniquities,  who  call  upon  thee,  and  keep 
us  unblameable  and  unreproveable.  Deliver  us  from 
a  self-sufficient  spirit,  that  we  may  never  attempt  to 
perform  duty,  resist  temptation,  or  bear  the  cross  in 
our  own  strength.  Let  us  know  and  feel,  that  when 
we  are  weak,  then  are  we  strong  ;  and  that  ^vhen  we 
depend  only  on  thy  arm  and  favor  towards  us,  neither 
the  flesh,  the  world,  nor  Satan,  shall  be  able  to  pre- 
vail against  us. 

Give  us  full  assurance  of  understanding  and  faith 
in  the  great  mystery  of  godliness,  that  thou  art  God 
and  man  in  one  Christ,  infinite  in  wisdom  to  teach ; 
in  power  to  help  and  defend ;  in  justice  to  destroy 
thy  adversaries  ;  infinite  in  goodness  to  supply  all 
our  wants,  and  complete  our  felicity;  infinite  in  truth 
to  accomplish  all  thy  exceeding  great  and  precious 
promises,  and  altogether  such  a  Saviour  as  our  deep 
and  manifold  necessities  require. 

Finally,  we  beseech  thee,  O  Lord,  to  grant  that 
we  may  have  in  ourselves  the  witness  of  thy  power 
and  glory,  by  die  change  wrought  and  maintained  in 
our  views,  pursuits,  and  tempers;  that  we  may  shew 
forth  thy  praises,  who  hast  called  us  out  of  darkness 
into  marvellous  light,  and  be  ready,  when  we  depart, 
to  join  the  song  of  the  ransomed  of  the  Lord,  say- 
ing, "  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain  to  receive 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  153 

power,  and  riches,  and  wisdom,  and  strength,  and 
glory,  and  honor,  and  blessing.  Blessing,  honor, 
and  glory,  and  power  be  unto  him  that  sitteth  upon 
the  throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb,  for  ever  and  ever." 
Amen. 


SUNDAY  XX. 
CHAP.  XX. 

On  the  Divinity  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

•'  ■  ^ 

1  HE  scripture  teaches  us,  that  the  work  of 
man's  salvation  is  through  the  joint  agency  of  the 
Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost.  God  the 
Father,  in  infinite  wisdom  and  mercy,  provided  him- 
self a  lamb  for  a  burnt-offering  to  purge  away  sin. 
God  the  Son,  in  his  own  person,  as  mediator,  sub- 
mits to  suffer  the  just  for  the  unjust,  rising  for  their 
justification,  and  ever  living  to  make  intercession  for 
all  who  come  to  God  by  him.  God  the  Holy  Ghost 
gives  knowledge  and  understanding  of  this  glorious 
salvation,  procures  it  a  cordial  reception,  and  sancti- 
fies the  soul  for  endless  bliss. 

Each  of  these  persons,  who  thus  co-operate  in 
man»s  salvation,  must  be  by  nature  God,  because  no- 
thing  finite  can  execute  any  part  of  this  grand 
scheme.  Who,  but  the  supreme  Lawgiver,  can 
admit  of  a  substitute  to  bear  the  curse  due  to  sin- 
ners ?  What  creature  can  possibly  have  merit, 
much  less  be  sufficient,  by  his  own  obedience  and 
death,  to  atone  for  offences  against  the  majesty  of 
Heaven  ?  Or  to  whom  but  God  doth  the  power 
appertain,  greater   than   that  of  creation,  to  bring: 

T7 


154  COMPLETE  DUTV  OF  MAN. 

man's  will,  obstinately  fixed  in  rebellion  against  hiSr 
Maker,  to  be  in  all  things  gladly  obedient  to  his 
Gommand  ? 

But  if  the  scripture  teaches  that  the  salvation  of 
man  is  owing  to  the  agency  of  each  person  in  the 
blessed  Trinity,  it  is  then  no  speculative  notion,  but 
a  doctrine  of  substantial  and  perpetual  use,  worthy 
the  most  devout  attention  of  every  Christian,  to  im- 
press his  mind,  by  earnest  meditation,  with  what  God 
has  revealed  touching  this  subject :  revealed  not  at  all 
to  teach  us  how  the  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  arc 
three  persons  in  one  eternal  Godhead  (for  this  it 
never  attempts),  but  that  we  may  know  our  obliga- 
tions to  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost, 
ar.d  live  in  such  entire  confidence  in  the  mercy  of 
God,  and  such  devotedness  to  his  service,  as  the 
knowledge  of  this  most  sublime  and  mysterious  truth, 
is  designed  to  produce. 

The  scripture  character  of  God  the  Father  has 
already  been  delineated  ;  and  that  of  God  the  Son  in 
his  mediatorial  office.  We  shall  now  lay  before  you, 
at  one  view,  what  we  are  taught  of  the  nature,  person, 
and  office  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  May  he,  the  Spirit  of 
truth,  give  us  to  understand  the  things  which  belong 
to  his  glory  ! 

That  he  is  one  in  essence  with  the  Father  and 
Son,  the  scripture  proves  in  this  plain  manner.  It 
ascribes  to  him  the  perfections  of  God.  Now  the 
distinct  nature  of  every  thing  is  determined  by  its 
properties.  He  who  possesses  the  properties  pecu- 
liar to  a  man,  is  on  that  very  account  esteemed  one  : 
by  consequence,  he  who  possesses  the  perfections 
peculiar  to  God,  must  on  that  account  be  worship- 
ped as  God. 

But  the  scriptures  teach  us,  that  the  Holy  Ghost 
is  an  eternal,  infinite,  almighty  Being,  and  called,  in 
exclusion  of  all   creatures,  the  Holy  Spirit.     The 


COMPLETE  DUTY  GF  MA!C.  155 

felood  of  Jesus,  we  are  assured,  was  offered  under  his 
influence,  under  the  name  of  the  Eternal  Spirit,  Hcb. 
ch.  ix.  A  title  given  only  to  God  :  for  we  no  where 
read  of  an  eternal  angel.  The  Holy  Ghost  is  infi- 
nite, for  he  searcheth  all  things,  even  the  deep  things 
of  God,  I  Cor.  ii.  He  is  almighty,  he  formed  the 
chaos  into  order  and  beauty,  and  by  his  energy  the 
world  subsists  each  day.  ''  Thou  sendeth  forth  thy 
Spirit,  they  are  created,  and  thou  renevvest  the  face 
©f  the  earth,"  Psal.  civ. 

His  almighty  power  is  no  less  conspicuous  in  tht 
dispensations  of  grace,  that  in  the  sphere  of  nature. 
The  spotless  humanity  of  Jesus  was  formed  by  his 
power  in  the  blessed  virgin ;  by  him  Jesus  was  led 
into  the  wilderness ;  anointed  to  preuch  the  gospel, 
and  fulfil  his  ministry;  *'  Anointed  with  the  oil  of 
gladness,  above  all  kings,  and  priests,  and  prophets, 
who  were  typical  of  his  glory."  In  all  that  Jesus  did 
on  earth,  he  was  supported,  we  are  exprt  ssly  taught, 
by  the  Holy  Ghost.  A  most  forcible  proof  of  his 
divinity  ;  for  Jesus,  as  Mediator,  has  a  name  given 
which  is  above  every  name,  to  so  high  a  degree,  that 
all  in  earth  and  heaven  must  bow  their  knee  to  him  ; 
yet  consider  as  Mediator,  he  is  still  inferior  to  the 
Holy  Ghost,  because  by  him  consecrated  and  enabled 
to  discharge  that  very  office.  But  nothing  in  earth 
or  heaven,  except  God,  is  above  the  man  Christ 
Jesus ;  the  Holy  Ghost  must  then  be  one  in  essence 
with  the  Father,  as  the  scripture  teaches,  and  the 
chiu'ch  of  Christ  has  ever  believed. 

Again,  the  Holy  Ghost  does  works  proper  to 
God.  He  renews  the  soul.  When  those  sinners  at 
Corinth,  sunk  into  the  lowest  dregs  of  wickedness, 
became  new  creatures,  the  glorious  traubfoiniation 
is  ascribed  to  this  divine  agent.  Such  were  some 
of  you  (whoremongers,  adulterers,  abusers  of  them- 
sej.ye§  with  maukindj,  thieves,  covetous) ;  but  ye  arc 


156  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

washed,  but  ye  are  sanctified,  but  ye  are  justified  in 
the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus,  and  by  the  Spirit  of 
our  God,  1  Cor.  vi. 

Further,  the  Holy  Ghost  endued  the  apostles  with 
miraculous  powers,  laid  the  foundation  of  the  Chris- 
tian church,  published  its  laws,  and  governed  all 
things.  He  separated  Paul  and  Barnabas,  and  ap- 
pointed their  mission  to  one  rather  than  another 
place,  the  high  prerogative  of  the  supreme  Director. 
A  dispensation  of  infinite  consequence,  and  incom- 
municable to  a  creature. 

In  the  consummation  of  all  things,  the  Holy 
Ghost  will  work  in  a  manner  altogether  divine,  the 
master-piece  of  all  he  has  done,  a  demonstration  of 
his  providence  and  grace,  in  a  degree  which  can  be- 
long to  none  but  God.  He  will  raise  the  bodies  of 
the  faithful  from  the  dust,  and  clothe  them  with  im- 
mortal glory.  "If  the  spirit  of  him  that  raised  up 
Jesus  froni  the  dead  dwell  in  you,  he  that  raised  up 
Christ  from  the  dead  shall  also  quicken  your  mortal 
bodies,  by  his  spirit  which  dwelleth  in  you,"  Rom. 
viii. 

Further,  the  Holy  Ghost  must  be  one  in  essence 
with  the  Father  and  the  Son,  because  divine  wor- 
ship is  paid  to  him.  This  glory,  which  the  jealous 
God  will  not  give  to  another,  consists  in  swearing  by 
him,  touching  the  truth  of  what  we  affirm  ;  accord- 
ing to  that  command,  Thou  shalt  worship  the  Lord 
thy  God,  and  sware  by  his  name.  It  consists  also 
in  making  him  the  only  object  of  our  faith  and  trust. 
Thus  saith  the  Lord,  *'  Cursed  is  the  man  that 
trusteth  in  man,  and  maketh  flesh  his  arm,"  Jer. 
xvii.  This  one  only  fountain  of  benediction  and 
grace  is  to  be  implored  for  the  continuance  of  both, 
and  obeyed  as  the  only  one  whom  we  are  to  fear. 
1'he  principal  end  of  divine  worship  is  in  this  man- 
ner   to  ascribe  unto  God  the   honor  due  to   his 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  147 

name.  But  we  find  in  scripture  all  these  particular 
acts  of  supreme  worship  paid  to  the  Holy  Ghost. 
St.  Paul  swears  by  him,  and  appeals  to  him  as  wit- 
iiess  of  his  sincere  good- will  to  his  enraged  breth- 
ren the  Jews.  *'I  say  the  truth  in  Christ,  I  lie  not, 
my  conscience  also  bearing  me  witness  in  the  Holy 
Ghost."  We  are  required  to  believe  in  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  to  obey  him  with  the  father  and  the 
Son  :  for  the  import  of  our  baptism  in  each  of  their 
names  is,  that  we  entirely  surrender  ourselves 
unto  the  service  of  the  sacred  Trinity.  He  also  is 
implored  with  the  Father  and  the  Son,  as  the  foun- 
tain of  all  blessings  and  graces  of  the  Gospel. 
From  the  days  of  the  apostles,  the  church  of  Christ 
has  concluded  her  public  worship  with  this  address 
to  the  Trinity  (which  were  blasphemous,  if  they 
were  not  equally  divine),  ''•  The  grace  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  the  love  of  God,  and  the  fellow- 
ship of  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  with  you  all.     Amen." 

The    infinite   glory   also   given   to  God,  and  the 
self-abasement  of  men  and  angels,  under  a  sense  of 
his    appearance,  are  ascribed   to  the   Holy  Ghost. 
Isaiah  relates  his   vision  of  the  glory   of  God :  the 
prophet  saw  the   ''  Lord  sitting  upon  a  throne,  high 
and  lifted  up,  and  his  train  filled  the  temple.    Above 
it   stood   the    seraphim s,   each   one  had  six  wir.gs. 
With  twain  he  covered  his  face,  with  twain  he  cov- 
ered his  feet,  and  with  twain  he  did  fly.     And  one 
cried  to  another,  and  said.  Holy,   holy,   holy  is  the 
Lord  of  Hosts  ;  the  whole  earth  is  full  of  his  glory. 
Then  said  I,  Wo  is  me  !  For  I  am  undone,  because 
I  am  a  man  of  unclean  lips,"  Isa.  vi.     By  compar- 
ing this  scripture  with  the  quotations   of  it  in   the 
New  Testament,  there  is  full  evidence  that  this  ado- 
ration was  paid  to  the   Holy  Trinity.     As  to  God 
the  Father,  none  dispute  that  worship  was  addressed 
to  him.     With  respect  to   Christ,   we  are  infallibly 


158  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

assured,  that  Isaiah  spoke  these  things,  when  he  saw 
his  glorv.  And  St.  Paul  expressly  asserts,  that  the 
voice  of  the  Lord,  which  at  this  very  time  spake  to 
Isaiah,  was  the  Holy  Spirit  himself.  "  Well  spake 
the  Holy  Ghost  by  Esaias  the  prophet  unto  our  fath- 
ers, Go  unto  this  people  and  say,  Hearing  ye  shall 
hear,  and  shall  not  understand,''  Acts  ii.  8. 

Again,  the  Spnit  is  exalted  above  the  rank  of 
creatures,  therefore  he  must  be  God  :  for  there  is  no 
middle  state  between.  That  he  is  exalted  above  the 
rank  of  creatures  is  evident,  because  he  is  never  re- 
presented as  a  worshipper  of  God.  But  the  relation 
of  all  creatures  to  him,  and  their  dependence  upon 
him,  are  necessary  obligations  to  pay  him  worship. 
And  the  more  excellent  the  endowments  of  a  crea- 
ture are,  the  stronger  will  be  his  obligation  to  glo- 
rify his  Maker.  Accordingly,  the  scripture  frequent- 
ly represents  the  whole  company  of  heaven  offering 
up  to  God  their  most  ardent  praises.  But  how  comes 
it,  if  the  Spirit  be  also  a  creature,  that  he  is  never 
mentioned  as  a  worshipper  ?  Is  it  not  strange  indeed 
that  he  should  be  forgotten,  who,  if  a  creature, 
should,  as  the  principal  person,  have  led  this  concert 
of  praise  ?  Was  it  not  highly  needful  to  have  made 
mention  of  him,  in  order  to  prevent  our  mistaking 
in  a  matter  of  such  moment  ?  The  total  silence, 
therefore,  of  scripture  on  this  head  affords  a  strong 
inference  that  the  prophets,  apostles,  and  Christ, 
knew  the  Holy  Ghost  was  not  a  creature,  but  by 
nature  God. 

It  was  foreseen  that  many  profane  disputers  would 
affirm  the  Spirit  is  no  more  than  a  quality  in  God, 
which  cannot  subsist,  or  be  distinguished  as  a  person. 
To  confute  this  notion,  he  has  a  name  significant  of 
his  essence  and  energy  ;  that  his  essence  is  spiritual, 
and  his  energy  the  cause  of  all  holiness  in  the  souls 
©f  men.  As  the  spirit  within  a  man,  which  observes 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN",  iS!i 

his  own  thoughts,  is  not  a  quality,  but  something 
really  distinct  From  his  thoughts ;  so  this  Spirit, 
which  knows  the  thoughts  of  God,  and  even  searches 
the  deep  things  of  God,  must  be  a  person  distinct 
from  the  Father,  who  is  thus  known  by  him.  Be- 
sides, all  personal  actions  arc  ascribed  to  the  Spirit: 
*' He  shall  not  speak  of  himself;  but  what  he  hasi 
heard,  that  shall  he  speak."  He  convinces  the  world 
of  sin,  righteousness,  and  judgment.  And  when 
Peter  was  still  doubtful  of  the  import  of  the  heav- 
enly vision,  **The  Spirit  said  unto  him,  behold  three 
men  seek  thee."  All  these  expressions  are  without 
a  meaning,  if  they  do  not  clearly  mark  the  person- 
ality of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

From  this  summary  view  it  appears,  that  the  Holy- 
Ghost  possesses  the  essential  attributes  of  God,  that 
he  does  works  proper  to  God,  and  receives  the 
honor  due  unto  God  only.  To  this  scripture  proof 
there  is  no  reply,  but  such  as  infidelity  is  never  at  a 
loss  to  make  against  the  plainest  truths.  These 
scripture  proofs,  which  have  been  often  urged  at 
large  with  great  strength  and  clearness,  are  a  suffi- 
cient warrant  for  our  faith  in  this  important  article 
of  the  Christian  creed.  As  to  those  who  will  con- 
tradict and  blaspheme  on  account  of  insuperable 
difficulties  which  occur  in  this  subject,  the  moment 
we  presume  to  step  beyond  what  is  written,  it  must 
be  observed  that  all  the  peculiar  doctrines  of  revela- 
tion, no  less  than  this,  become  to  such,  first  matter 
of  dispute,  and  then  are  rejected,  because  they  seem 
irrational,  till  at  length  God's  blessed  system  of  truth, 
which  none  of  the  wise  men  of  this  world  knew,  is 
reduced  to  little  more  than  some  moral  maxims,  and 
the  revelation  of  a  resurrection  of  the  just  and  unjust. 
Whether  this  be  to  receive  and  rationally  interpret 
the  book  of  God  with  all  reverence,  or  to  renounce 
all  subjection  to  its  authority,  and  sit  in  judgment 
upon  his  dictates,  judge  ye  ! 


I6d  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

SUNDAY  XXL 

CHAP.  XXI. 
On  the  Operations  of  tlie  Holy  Ghost. 

After  our  judgment  is  fully  informed  and  con- 
vinced of  the  divinity  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  we  must 
know  for  what  great  purposes  that  infinite,  almighty, 
eternal  Spirit,  exercises  his  office  in  the  church  of 
Christ,  and  what  are  his  influences ;  for  till  these 
things  are  clearly  understood,  we  can  never  ascribe 
to  him  the  glory  of  his  own  work,  nor  be  secure 
from  dangerous  delusions.  But  the  scripture  is 
not  more  full  in  declaring  the  divinity  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  than  in  determining  the  nature  and  invariable 
effects  of  his  operation. 

To  him,  we  are  taught  by  holy  writ,  is  intrusted 
the  management  of  Christ's  cause  against  a  rebel 
world.  By  his  secret,  yet  mighty  energy,  the  foun- 
dation of  the  Christian  religion  is  laid  in  the  soul ; 
by  hnn  it  is  maintained,  and  at  length  produces  much 
fruit  to  perfection.  The  foundation  of  the  Christian 
religion,  as  the  words  import,  is  the  knowledge  of 
Christ ;  without  which,  though  you  may  do  many- 
things  which  are  commanded,  and  be  in  profession 
a  Christian,  you  still  want  the  foundation  of  accepta- 
ble worship,  according  to  that  assertion,  ''  If  any  man 
serve  me,  him  will  my  Father  honor,"  John  xii.  i.  e, 
he  will  honor  no  one  else. 

But  if  you  consider  the  scripture  account  of  the 
condition  the  world  was  in,  when  the  name  of  Christ 
was  Jirst  preached,  or  the  natural  blindness  of  the 
human  mind  to  the  truths  of  God  in  all  ages,  you 
will  readily  acknowledge,  that  wherever  the  glory  of 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  Hi 

the  Lord  is  perceived,  it  must  be  owing  to  the  teach* 
ing  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Few  possibly  doubt  of  this, 
at  the  time  when  Christ  was  first  preached.  For  then 
to  conceive  justly  of  him,  was  directly  contrarv  to 
the  whole  force  of  inveterate  prejudice,'  corrupt  edu- 
cation, and  worldly  interest.  Suppose  yourself  an 
mhabitant  either  of  Jerusalem,  or  Rome,  at  the  time 
when  the  gospel  was  published  in  those  cities  Pha- 
risaism and  Sadducism  reigned  throughout  Jerusa- 
lem and  Judea;  and  the  impurest  idolatry,  with  the 
most  enormous  sensuality  of  every  kind/triumphed 
amongst  the  heathens.  In  this  situation,  suppose 
you  had  heard  an  apostle,  in  the  name  of  God,  com- 
mand you  to  confess  your  sinfulness,  and,  as  a  wretch 
for  ever  undone  (but  for  this  refuge  from  deserved 
wrath)  to  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ;  that  this  apostle,  instead  of  concealing  the 
meanness  and  weakness  in  which  Jesus  Christ  lived, 
the  shame  and  torture  in  which  he  died,  told  you, 
that  on  his  cross  he  made  atonemt-nt  for  sin,  pur- 
chased sinners  whh  the  price  of  his  blood,  that  they 
might  live  in  subjection  to  him  as  their  Soveuign  ; 
that  he  possessed  power  irresistible,  to  save,  reward, 
and  eternally  enrich  his  friends,  or  to  confound,  con- 
quer, and  punish  his  adversaries  :  suppose  the  apos- 
tle to  conclude  this  address  with  a  most  solemn  as- 
sertion, that  if  you  refused  the  call  now  given  to 
you,  and  died  without  pardon  from  Christ,  you  must 
feel  the  \vrath  to  come  :  Instantly  upon  such  an  ad- 
dress, in  the  circumstances  above  described,  your 
heart  tells  you,  you  would  reject  the  messenger  and 
his  call  with  equal  disdain  and  hatred.  For  the  life 
of  Jesus,  infamous  through  innumerable  slanders  of 
the  vilest  sort,  and  his  death  ignominious  in  your 
apprehension  to  the  last  degree,  must  make 'you 
treat  the  report  of  salvation  by  him  alone,  as  the 
most  palpable  lie  ever  forged  to  deceive. 

w 


1^2  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

Accustomed  from  a  child  either  to  worship  false 
gods,  or  the  true  one,  without  any  affiance  in  a 
Mediator,  a  sacred  horror  must  chill  your  blood, 
upon  hearing  your  idols  degraded,  and  the  worship 
of  them  declared  worthy  of  damnation.  Or  if  a  Jew> 
you  would  be  ready  to  rend  your  garments  on  hear- 
ing Jesus,  who  was  a  man,  declared  to  be  one  with 
God ;  whilst  every  passion  for  sinful  pleasure,  love 
of  praise,  fear  of  reproach,  or  desire  of  happiness  in 
the  world,  must  inflame  your  rage  against  a  reli- 
gion, which  was  such  an  enemy  to  them  all.  What, 
is  the  light  of  reason  to  pierce  through  such  a  cloud 
of  error  and  prejudice?  What,  the  force  of  moral 
suasion,  or  the  resolution  of  man  to  make  at  once  a 
sacrifice  of  friends,  relations,  reputation,  and  even 
be  deemed  by  those,  to  whom  you  was  before  most 
dear,  a  curse  to  your  country  *  ?  Yet  nothing  less 
was  a  certain  consequence  before  the  eyes  of  all,  who 
dared  to  join  themselves  to  the  Lord  Jesus ;  that 
Jesus,  who,  from  the  odium  cast  upon  his  name  by 
the  Jews  in  every  place,  is  marked  as  the  man 
"  whom  the  nation  abhorreth." 

To  vanquish  such  deep-rooted  prejudice  and  en- 
mity against  the  Rv  deemer,  the  gospel  is  to  be  preach- 
ed vvith  the  Holy  Ghost  sent  down  from  heaven. 
Thus  furnished,  the  apostles  were  to  be  witnesses  for 
Jesus,  and  the  redemption  he  finished,  both  in  Jeru- 
salem, and  in  all  Judea,  and  in  Samaria,  and  unto  the 
uttermost  parts  of  the  earth.  This  almighty  Agent, 
by  his  miraculous  gifts  in  rich  variety  imparted  to 
them,  bore  down  the  prejudices  of  education,  the 

*  The  unlearned  reader  is  to  be  informed,  that  the  first  de- 
fenders of  our  Holy  Faith  all  take  notice  of  the  cruel  charges 
brought  against  Christians,  as  the  cause  of  all  the  public  calam- 
ities among  the  Pagans,  Avhose  gods  they  abhorred.  The  Pa- 
gans, therefore,  innamcd  with  superstition,  thought  tlicy  pleas- 
ed their  gods  by  pulling  them  to  death. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  163 

fear  of  reproach  and  death,  and  all  base  self-love. 
This  almighty  Agent,  by  his  gracious  influence  on 
the  mind  (at  the  time  he  was  appealing  by  wonder- 
ful signs  to  their  senses),  made  the  glory  of  the  Lord 
appear  with  such  transcendent  excellency,  that  thou- 
sands were  in  every  place  added  to  the  church,  who 
loved  their  Saviour  better  than  their  lives. 

Thus,  in  a  visible  and  grand  display  of  power,  the 
Holy  Ghost  fulfilled  the  Redeemer's  promise,  and 
laid  the  foundation  of  faith  in  his  name.  In  this 
manner,  "  He  testified  of  Je^us,  and  glorified  him." 
He  reproved  the  world  of  sin,  in  their  contemptuous 
rejection  of  Christ ;  of  righteousness  in  his  cause  and 
person.  He  convinced  the  world  of  judgment,  in 
opening  their  eyes  to  see  the  throne  of  Satan  over- 
turned, his  oracles  silenced,  his  temples  deserted, 
abhorred,  and  miserable  captives  under  his  yoke  set 
at  liberty  without  number ;  for  whilst  the  Holy 
Ghost,  in  the  judgment  of  all  who  would  consider, 
wrought  mightily  for  the  gospel,  he  enlightened  the 
understanding  by  a  subsequent  internal  influence. 

This  is  evident  from  the  apostle's  prayer  for  the 
church  at  Ephesus.  By  the  miracles  they  had  seen, 
they  were  convinced  of  the  divine  authority  of  the 
gospel.  They  adored  its  much  despised  and  blas- 
phemed Author.  Nevertheless,  the  apostle  clearly 
distinguishes  this  conviction  flowing  from  external 
evidence,  from  the  internal  gracious  influence  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.  He  prays  unto  God  to  grant  them  his 
spirit,  that  "  the  eyes  of  their  understanding  being 
enlightened,  they  might  know  what  was  the  hope  of 
his  calling,  and  what  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  his  in- 
.heritance  in  the  saints,  and  the  exceeding  greatness 
of  his  power  towards  us  that  believe." 

This  goes  much  deeper  than  the  force  of  miracles 
could  reach.  This  implies  a  transforming  know- 
ledge of  those  sublime  truths,  which  miracles  alone 


164  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

can  never  produce,  and  a  happy  experience  of  the 
certainty  of  the  words  of  truth,  from  their  vital  ope- 
ration  within. 

From  this  plain  and  true  account  of  the  state  of 
Christ's  church  at  the  beginning,  it  is  clear,  that  the 
Holy  Ghost  must  then  lay  the  foundation  of  faith  in 
Christ  in  each  individual,  who  believed  to  the  saving 
of  his  soul. 


SUNDAY  XXIL 

CHAP.  XXII. 
On  the  constant  Agency  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in  all  Ages* 

XlIS  miraculous  gifts  are  allowed,  by  all  who  re- 
ceive the  Bible,  to  have  been  displayed  in  the  first 
aees  of  the  church.  But  his  divine  influences  on  the 
heart  now  are  called  in  question  by  many  professing 
Christians.  They  allege  that  our  circumstances 
totall}  differ  from  the  state  of  the  primitive  believers. 
Now  instead  of  blasphemous  revilings  cast  on  the 
name  of  Jesus,  he  is  constantly  adored  as  God  in  the 
public  service  of  our  church.  Instead  of  bitter  pre- 
judices from  education  against  his  death  as  a  sacri- 
fice for  sin,  we  are  baptized  into  it,  as  our  redemp- 
tion,  and  generally  hear  it  spoken  of  with  reverence. 
Instead  of  persecution  from  friends  and  relations, 
enraged  for  our  professing  Christianity,  we  should 
give  offence  by  not  doing  so. 

From  this  great  change  of  circumstances,  as  great 
a  difference  has  followed  in  the  work  of  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

We  see  not  one  miracle  wrought  in  confirmation 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  165 

of  the  gospel  now  :  its  own  establishment,  the  most 
astonishing  of  all  miracles,  appeals  to  every  man. 
The  extni<;rdinary  operations  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
thus  ceasing,  many  make  a  very  false  and  dangerous 
conclusion,  injuriousl)  restraining  to  the  apostolic 
times,  the  reaching,  strength,  and  consolations  com- 
municated by  the  Spirit  to  all  the  faithful.  A  mistake 
destructive  of  vital  relij>;ion,  and  proceeding  from 
gross  ignorance  ot"  man's  natural  blindness  and  de- 
pravity of  heart.  For  if  we  are  to  credit  the  account 
given  of  both  in  scripture,  it  is  certain  no  man  left 
to  himself  would  ever  embrace  the  truth  of  God, 
though  the  rage  of  Jews  and  Gentiles  be  removed, 
an.d  the  Bible  granted  to  be  a  revelation  from  Heaven. 
The  natural  man,  acting  only  uj)on  principles  which 
he  concludes  to  be  rational,  and  seeking  no  illumi- 
nation from  God,  '^receiveth  not  the  thmgs  of  the 
spirit  of  God,  for  they  are  foolishness  unto  him  ; 
neither  can  he  know  them,  because  they  are  spiritu- 
ally discerned."  Their  truth  and  excellency  is  only 
discoverable  by  the  teaching  of  the  Spirit.  From 
this  declaration  it  necessarily  follows,  that  all  profita- 
ble knowledge  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  must 
proceed  from  the  Holy  Ghost  at  this  day,  no  less 
than  when  the  apostles  first  planted  churches  in  the 
name  of  Christ.  He  must  take  of  the  thii^gs  which 
are  Christ's,  and  shew  them  unto  men.  And  v\  hat 
was  his  work  immediately  after  our  Lord's  ascei;sion, 
is  still  so  in  every  one  who  believes  to  the  saving 
of  his  soul,  the  gift  of  miraculous  powers  only  ex- 
cepted. The  proof  of  this  assertion,  now  so  much 
questioned,  nay,  often  vilified  a^  despicable  enthu- 
siasm, 1  shall  endeavour  to  evince  from  the  same 
instructive  declaration  in  holy  writ,  which  has  been 
already  considered  in  relation  to  the  apostolic  age. 

*-'-  When  the  Con^forter  is  come,   he  will  reprove 
the  world  of  sin,   because  they  believe  not  in  me/' 


1.6$  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

Crimes  destructive  or  injurious  to  society,  are  scan- 
dalous, and  resented  by  all  as  very  evil.  But  the 
grand  provoking  offence  of  thinking  so  well  of  our- 
selves, and  so  highly  of  our  own  virtues,  as  renders 
all  honor  we  give  unto  Christ  in  the  creed,  and  wor- 
ship of  the  church,  merely  verbal,  this  offence  you 
never  see  in  the  catalogue  of  faults,  which  unen- 
lightened men  confess  chargeable  upon  themselves. 
Impure  and  wicked  as  we  are,  we  can  dare  to  ap- 
proach the  holy,  jealous  God  in  prayer,  without  hav- 
ing recourse  to  a  Mediator,  or  feeling,  in  any  degree, 
that  we  need  the  atonement  he  has  made. 

To  expose  this  sin  in  all  its  malignity,  is  the  work 
of  the  Holy  Ghost.  He  must  open  your  eyes  (if 
they  be  ever  opened)  to  see  your  own  vileness.  He 
must  convince  you  what  mean  and  low  thoughts  you 
entertained  of  the  Redeemer,  and  your  base  neglect 
of  him,  though  every  name,  and  ofiice,  and  glory, 
that  can  magnify,  exalt,  and  endear  him  to  mankind, 
is  constantly  given  him  in  the  oracles  of  God.  The 
Holy  Ghost  also  can  alone  enable  you  to  say,  with 
knowledge  and  certainty,  Jesus  Christ  is  Lord,  to 
the  glory  of  God  the  Father.  And,  by  his  influence 
only,  you  can  believe  in  your  heart,  and  boldly 
make  confession  with  your  mouth,  that  if  any  man 
love  not  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  he  is  anathema  mar- 
ajiatha,  accursed  of  God;  and,  without  a  divine 
change,  sure  to  be  destroyed  by  the  Lord  when  he 
Cometh  to  judge  the  world.  Thus,  clearly  to  see 
the  glory  of  Christ,  and  heartily  to  detest  the  neglect 
and  dishonor  shewn  to  his  person  and  his  works,  is 
a  grace  bestowed  by  the  Spirit  of  truth,  by  whom 
men  are  led  into  this  necessary  and  most  valuable 
knowledge  of  Christ. 

Again,  ''when  the  Comfort^er  is  come,"  saith  our 
Lord,  "he  shall  reprove  the  world  of  righteousness, 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  1§J 

because  I  go  to  my  Father,  and  the  world  seeth  me 


no  more." 


To  confess  we  are  received  into  the  favor  of  God 
by  virtue  of  what  another  hath  done,  and  that  the 
efficacy  of  the  life  and  death  of  Christ  derives  pardon 
and  everlasting  salvation  on  all  his  faithful  people, 
is  a  rock  of  offence  to  our  haughty  spirit,  and  a  pal- 
pable absurdity  to  men,  who  trust  in  themselves  as 
righteous.  And  though  we  profess  (having  always 
been  taught  to  do  so)  reverence  for  the  word  of  God, 
still,  if  left  to  ourselves,  we  make  personal  worth 
and  moral  character  our  foundation  of  acceptance 
with  our  Judge.  Under  accusations  of  conscience 
we  fly  to  human  frailty,  and  the  strength  of  tempta- 
tion, as  our  advocates  ;  or  to  repentance  and  amend- 
ment, as  our  propitiation.  So  obstinatelv  (through 
our  corrupt  nature)  are  we  prepossessed  in  favor 
of  our  virtues,  that  we  can  talk,  and  trust  too,  as  if 
we  were  as  good  as  the  law  of  God  requires  we 
should  be,  to  enter  into  life  by  our  own  righteous- 
ness. 

It  is  the  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost  to  reprove  the 
world  for  this  self-exalting  lie  ;  this  hateful  over- 
rating our  tainted  and  much  blemished  obedience. 
He  overturns  all  vain  confidence,  by  establishing  the 
mind  in  the  full  knowledge  of  Christ  delivered  for 
our  offences,  raised  again  for  our  justification,  ap- 
pearing in  the  presence  of  God  with  his  own  blood. 
From  whence  the  conclusion  is  irresistible,  that  even 
the  holiest  members  of  the  Christian  church,  are  ac- 
cepted, not  for  their  own,  but  Christ's  sake;  that  his 
going  to  the  Father  as  Mediator  is  all  our  hope,  and 
his  name,  the  Lord  our  righteousness,  our  only 
ground  of  confidence  that  God  will  be  favorable 
unto  us,  and  not  remember  our  sins ;  that  though 
repentance,  love  to  God,  and  obedience  without  re- 
serve, must  vouch  our  relation  to  Christ,  yet  neither 


168  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

singly  or  united  do  they  cover  our  transgressions, 
or  obtain  for  us  eternal  life  ;  for  this  we  stand  in- 
debted to  the  blood  and  righteousness  of  God  our 
Saviour. 

But  till  the  Holy  Ghost  has  convinced  us  of  our 
absolute  need  of  imputed  divine  righteousness,  it  is 
one  of  the  most  offensive  articles  of  the  Christian's 
creed.  Piqued  at  the  low  account  this  makes  of  the 
best  virtues  in  the  best  of  men,  we  shall  clamour 
against  exalting  so  highly  the  Saviour's  obedience 
and  death,  as  a  disparagement  of  personal  holiness; 
and  the  gift  of  justification  unto  eternal  life,  through 
the  redemption  that  is  in  Jesus,  will  be  deemed  a 
contempt  of  good  w^orks.  To  remove  this  natural 
blindness  and  stubborn  prejudice,  the  Spirit  of  truth 
must  exert  his  kindly  influence :  and  then  what 
Christ  has  done,  sufftred,  and  pleads  before  the 
Father,  will  be  all  our  salvation,  and  all  our  desire. 

In  one  instance  more,  the  text  under  consideration 
declares  the  perpetual  agency  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
''  He  shall  reprove  the  world  of  judgment,"  because 
the  prince  of  this  world  is  judged;  i,  e.  convince 
men  of  the  complete  victory  obtained  by  Christ  over 
Satan,  in  order  to  make  all  believers  in  his  name 
more  than  conquerors  too. 

Subjection  to  sin,  though  the  vilest  slavery  on 
earth  (so  very  low  has  man  fallen),  is  earnestly 
maintained  to  be  unavoidable.  Every  one  (it  is  said 
in  all  companies)  has  his  foible :  which,  in  polite 
language,  means  some  detestable  lust,  or  intolerable 
temper,  which  lords  it  over  him.  Unwilling  to  be 
set  free,  we  magnify  the  force  of  temptation,  and  our 
own  infirmities,  keeping  out  of  sight  the  mighty  Re* 
deemer,  and  then  say,  *'  Who  can  stand  before  all 
these?" 

The  Holy  Ghost,  that  grand  agent  for  the  glory 
of  Christ,  convinces  us  (if  wc  are  ever  convinced), 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  169 

that  we  greatly  err  in  this  matter,  since  the  prince 
of  this  world,  Satan,  is  judged^  already  dethroned 
and  vanquished  by  the  Saviour,  who  is  infinitely 
stronger  in  them  who  believe,  than  the  combined 
force  of  all  outward  opposition,  or  inward  corrup- 
tions. Thus  it  is  plain  to  demonstration,  if  pride, 
or  passion,  or  discontent,  if  intemperance  or  lewd- 
ness, covetousness  or  envy,  or  any  evil  temper  what- 
ever, hold  the  mastery  over  us,  it  is  because  sin  is 
neither  exceedingly  sinful  in  our  eyes,  nor  grievous 
to  bear ;  therefore  we  refuse  to  cry  out  for  deliver- 
ance. Like  infamous  wretches,  who  prefer  rags  and 
sores,  with  idleness  and  beggary,  to  honest  labour, 
"  we  will  not  be  made  whole.'* 

For  this  purpose,  now  perpetiuilly^  as  in  the 
apostles'  days,  is  the  agency  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ex- 
perienced by  every  one  who  believeth  in  Jesus. 
And  now,  as  then,  a  man  cannot  enter  into  the  king- 
dom of  God,  except  he  be  born  of  water,  and  of 
the  Spirit. 

But  the  agency  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  when  he  tes- 
tifies of  Christ,  and  glorifies  him,  is  quite  distinct 
from  the  means  which  convey  the  testimony.  This 
important  distinction  is  carefully  noted  in  scripture. 
Thus  it  is  written  of  the  apostate  Jews,  *'  Hear  ye 
indeed,  but  perceive  not,  make  the  heart  of  this  peo- 
ple fat,  and  make  their  ears  heavy,  and  shut  their 
eyes,  lest  they  see  with  their  eyes,  and  hear  with 
their  ears,  and  understand  with  their  hearts,  and 
convert,  and  be  healed."  Here,  observe  well,  is 
the  call  of  the  word,  yet  a  refusal  of  grace  to  make 
it  effectual,  on  account  of  their  insufferable  provoca- 
tions. The  alarming  expressions,  '' Make  the  heart 
of  this  people  fat,  and  make  their  ears  heavy,  and 
shut  their  eyes,"  cannot  possibly  mean  that  God  in- 
spired Israel  with  contempt  for  his  holy  word,  or 
disaffection  to  it;  but  they  mean,  that  disdainfiJ 

X 


iTil  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MA^. 

contempt  of  his  word,  and  obstinate  disaffection  to- 
wards it,  do  certainly  follow,  where  the  Spirit  of 
grace  is  withheld.  In  confirmation  of  this  truth,  it 
is  written,  that  the  Lord  opened  the  heart  of  L)  dia  td 
attend  to  the  things  spoken  by  St.  Paul.  In  this 
instance,  you  plainly  see  the  man  of  God  preaching 
Christ,  and  all  that  is  needful  for  the  conversion  of 
the  soul,  on  the  one  hand  :  on  the  other,  the  God 
of  all  grace  exercising  his  powerful  influence,  by 
tvhich  the  apostle's  preaching  obtained  success.  In- 
deed we  are  taught  always  to  distinguish  betweeii 
the  means  and  instruments  made  use  of  to  convey 
grace  to  the  soul,  and  the  Holy  Ghos-  from  whom 
that  grace  proceeds.  This  animated  interrogation 
on  the  subject  is  put  by  the  great  apostle,  *'  who 
then  is  Piiul,  and  who  is  Apollos?  but  ministers  by 
whom  ve  believed,  as  the  Lord  gave  to  every  man. 
1  have  planted,  Apollos  watered,  but  God  gave  the 
increase,"  I  Cor.  iii.  Here,  in  the  strongest  light, 
the  means  of  grace,  and  the  ettrnal  Spirit  from  which 
they  receive  their  whole  elficacy,  are  represented  as 
entirely  distinct  from  each  other.  By  undeniable 
consequence  the  foundation  of  Christian  faith  is  laid 
by  the  Holy  Ghost  in  the  heart  of  each  believer,  and 
his  agency  is  as  real  and  successful  at  this  hour,  as 
when  miracles  were  wrought  by  him  through  the 
hands  of  the  apostles. 

From  what  has  been  offered,  you  may  understand 
the  nature  of  the  abiding  operation  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  know  whether  it  has  taken  place  in  your 
soul  or  not,  by  your  knowledge  or  ignorance  of 
Christ  crucified. 

Besides  this,  the  scripture  teaches  us  to  regard  the 
Holy  Ghost  as  the  author  of  every  divine  temper,  by 
which  his  indwelling  presence  is  manifested  beyond 
a  doubt.  If  vou  love  God  for  sendinsr  his  Sou  into 
the  world,  and  feel  consciousness  of  his  iove  to  your 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  1^1 

soul,  this  is  no  more  required  by  your  own  reflec- 
tions  or  conclusions,  than  the  foodful  i^rain  which 
enriches  our  fie:ds  is  self-produced.     '*  It  is  sht  d 
abroad  in  your  heart,  by  the  Holy  Ghost  given  unto 
you."     If  this  love  creates  joy,  from  the  considera- 
tion  of  the  great  good  you  possess,  and  as  an  ear- 
nest of  infinitel}  better,  thib  sensatir^i,  in   honor  of 
its  author,  is  called  joy  in  the  Holy   Ghost.     If, 
whilst  God  and  eternal  judgment  are  in   all   your 
thoughts,    you  now   possess    peace    through  Jt  su^ 
Christ,  by  whom  you  have  received  the  atoitemt^nt, 
when  before,  mention  of  such  awful  subjects  excit- 
ed  dread  or  disgust,  this  marvellous  change  claims  a 
divine  parent,  and  is  called  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit. 
If,  possessing  the  heavenly  treasure  ot  love,  peace, 
and  joy,  you  are  patient  in  troubles,  and  under  re- 
peated'injuries    gentle,    merciful,    and  meek,    this 
union  of  amiable  tempers  is  from  above,  the  super- 
scription of  one  scanctified  by  the  Holy  Ghost.    Fur- 
ther, in  order  to  withstand  temptation,  mortify  our 
evil  tempers,  and  perform  obedience,  we  are  taught 
in  scripture  to  implore  the  spirit  of  God,  who  helps 
our  infirmities  in  prayer :  and  all  true  Christians 
have  access  to  the  Father,  through  the  mediator,  by 
one  Spirit,  Ephes.  ii.    18.     And  when  they  are  ex- 
horted to   be  full  of  the  high  praises  of  God,  they 
are  exhorted  at  the  same  time  to  be  full  of  the  Holy 
Ghost ;  which  is  expressed  not  only  as  a  promised 
privilege,  but  a  necessary  duty.     From  whence  it  is 
evident,  that,  without  him,  all  our  services  will  be  a 
maimed  sacrifice,  and  want  the  very  soul  which  can 
enliven  them. 

In  a  word,  to  express  the  never-ceasing  agency  of 
the  Holy  Ghost  on  the  hearts  of  the  faithful,  and 
their  perpetual  need  of  it,  their  life  is  called  xvalk' 
ing,  living  in  the  Spirit. 


172  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 


SUNDAY  XXIII. 

CHAP.  XXIII. 

©n  the  Properties  of  the  Spirit's  Influence,  and  the  daring 
Impiety  of  denying  it. 

JTAVING  produced,  from  scripture,  proofs  suffi- 
cient of  the  operations  of  the  Holy  Ghost  on  the  un- 
derstanding and  will  of  man,  and  pointed  out  its  dis- 
tinct agency,  it  is  proper,  to  prevent  enthusiastic 
errors,  that  some  farther  observations  should  be 
made  on  the  peculiar  properties  of  the  Spirit's  in- 
fluence. 

It  is  discernible  only  by  its  fruits.  He  acts  in  a 
manner  quite  similar  to  the  established  course  of 
nature.  The  prophets,  apostles,  and  Christ  their 
head,  refer  us  to  the  vegetable  world  for  illustration 
of  his  influence.  As  the  juices  of  the  earth  do  not 
immediately  shoot  out  in  fruits  or  flowers,  but  are  at 
first  received  into  the  root,  from  thence  gradually 
ascend  the  trunk,  w^hence  they  are  diffused  through 
the  branches,  by  which  means  they  live  and  flourish 
to  the  conviction  of  every  spectator,  whilst  the  most 
penetrating  cannot  tell  how,  so  is  it  with  the  agency 
of  the  Holy  Ghost. — He  breathes  spiritual  life  into 
man,  which  appears  in  the  turn  of  mind,  the  subject 
of  his  thoughts  and  discourse,  in  his  hopes  and  fears, 
joys  and  sorrows,  love  and  hatred.  Every  one  per- 
ceives the  change,  while  the  author  of  it  remains  in- 
visible ;  and  the  method  in  which  it  has  been  accom- 
plished incomprehensible.  Yet,  though  the  influence 
be  secret^  its  effects  is  noble  and  powerful.  He  who 
is  born  of  the  Spirit  is  born  to  conflict,  toil,  labour, 
and  victory  ;  not  so  much  at  present  to  enjoy,  as  act ; 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  U3 

a  power,  therefore,  is  given,  proportioned  to  the  dif- 
ficulties a  Christian  meets,  and  the  enemies  with 
whom  he  fights.  Thus,  it  is  declared,  "  Whatsoever 
is  born  of  God  overcometh  the  world :"  the  love  of 
its  pleasures  cannot  corrupt  him,  nor  the  fear  of  its 
frowns  deter  him  from  his  duty. 

But  this  mighty  influence  exactly  corresponds 
with  the  written  word  ;  and  is  preserved  and  increas- 
ed by  use  of  the  means  appointed  for  this  purpose. 
The  floly  Ghost  makes  no  new  revelation  in  point 
of  doctrine  or  duty,  only  gives  efficacy  to  what  is  al- 
ready revealed  respecting  both.  No  other  change 
he  works  in  the  soul  than  what  the  oracles  of  God 
describe  and  promise,  and  unprtjudiced  reason  must 
pronomice  excellent  and  desirable  in  the  highest 
degree.  He  works,  by  apt  means,  the  increase  of 
his  own  influence,  which  yet  remains  distinct  from 
them.  As  natural  life,  though  perpetually  main- 
tained by  the  power  of  God,  is  not  miraculously  up- 
held, but  in  the  use  of  food,  exercise,  rest,  air,  and 
sleep,  so  the  immortal  soul,  when  born  of  the  Spirit, 
desires  the  sincere  milk  of  the  word,  to  grow  there- 
Uy ;  watches  and  prays,  and,  by  light  from  heaven, 
avoids  all  things  hurtful,  and  values  and  prizes 
whatever  can  be  profitable  to  it. 

This  influence  varies  in  its  degree.  Those  who 
partake  of  it  not  only  differ  from  others  who  share 
in  the  same  divine  privilege,  but  in  the  state  of 
their  own  mind,  at  different  times,  with  respect  to 
the  benefit  they  enjoy.  Some  have  much  more 
light,  comfort,  and  strength  than  others :  and  olten 
the  transition  from  peace  to  trouble,  from  tran- 
quility to  conffict,  is  very  quick.  But  this  difference 
in  those  who  live  and  walk  in  the  Spirit  is  owing  ge- 
nerally to  different  degrees  of  watchfulness,  dili- 
gence, and  fidelity  in  the  use  of  talents  intrusted  to 
their  care.     The  Spirit,  we  are  told,  is  often  grieved 


lU  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

and  quenched  by  carelessness,  neglect  of  secret 
pravtr,  and  meditation  on  God's  word,  and  much 
more  by  self- pleasing  compliances,  and  more  still 
b\  a  fall  into  a  presumptuous  offence.  In  such 
cases,  the  paternal  justice  of  God  requires  proper 
rebukes  should  be  given  ;  that  his  children,  feeling 
their  own  miserable  deadness  of  soui,  and  being  full 
of  uncomfortable  reflections,  if  not  of  dismal  fore^ 
bodings,  may  be  more  vigilant,  in  future,  to  avoid 
every  instance  of  undutiful  carriage,  and  learn  to 
prize  the  light  of  God's  countenance  above  every 
temporal  bessing.  Whilst  to  encourage  and  reward 
the  humble,  zealous  obtdience  of  those  who  labour, 
with  all  activity,  to  spread  knowledge,  and  save 
souls,  to  comfort  the  distressed,  befriend  the  poor, 
the  fatherless,  and  widow,  God,  Father,  Son,  and 
Spirit,  will  love  them  with  peculiar  delight,  and 
come  unto  them,  and  make  their  abode  with  them. 
Declarations  to  this  purpose  are  frequent  in  scrip, 
ture,  and  plainly  marked  in  the  lives  of  the  prophets 
and  eminent  servants  of  God.  These  declarations 
sufficiently  vindicate  the  doctrine  of  divine  agency  oa 
the  mind,  as  if  it  represented  or  made  men  ma- 
chines ;  whereas  it  is  impossible  for  us  to  do  any 
act  with  liberty,  if  we,  when  our  understanding  ap- 
proves, and  our  heart  chooses  the  service  of  God  as 
good,  are  not  free  indeed. 

After  the  proofs  above  adA^^nced  of  the  divinity 
and  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  inference  unavoid- 
ably follows,  how  impious  is  the  way  of  the  world, 
which  blasphemes  the  agency  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
as  the  whim  of  a  distempered  brain,  or  the  notion 
of  enthusiastic  knaves,  who  make  fools  of  the 
people. 

To  cover  the  daring  impiety  of  these  reproaches, 
it  is  common  to  urge  the  shameless  practices  of  reli- 
gious men  in  past  and  present  times*     A  plea  which. 


COMPLIITE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  If  JJ 

weak  as  the  offence  it  would  excuse,  is  provoking 
in  the  sight  of  heaven-  For  what  can  be  more  weak 
than  to  ridicule  and  explode  a  thing,  merely  be- 
cause it  has  been  and  is  abused  to  purjx)ses  totally 
opposite  to  its  real  tendency  ?  Had  this  argumertt 
force,  we  must  renounce  tlie  use  of  reason,  no  less 
than  reject  the  doctnne  of  divine  influences :  for 
what  can  be  conceived  more  injurious  to  the  honor 
of  God,  or  good  of  man,  than  principles  which  the 
loudest  adv(x:ates  for  the  sufficiency  of  reason's 
light  have  published?  And  if  the  fancies  of  wild 
and  wicked  enthusiasts,  who  claim  the  Spirit's  in- 
fluence to  sanctify  nonsense,  spiritual  pride,  or,  whaft: 
is  worse,  to  cover  villainy  and  lewdness,  be  a  good 
reason  for  denying  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
on  the  hearts  of  the  faithful ;  we  must  also  allow  that 
the  execrable  blasphemies  against  faith  and  hoiiiies^, 
vented  by  many  who  extol  the  powers  of  reason,  is  as 
good  an  argument  for  suppressing  the  exercise  of  the 
rational  faculty,  at  least  for  representing  it  as  ex- 
tremely hurtful,  and  always  to  be  suspected.  For  if 
duty  be  violated,  what  does  it  signify  whether  the 
violation  proceeds  from  imaginary  inspiration,  or  self- 
sufficiency  in  a  worm,  who  makes  his  God  out  of 
liis  own  brain,  and  gives  him  properties  pleasing  to 
liis  own  wicked  heart  ?  Does  not  every  intelligent 
person  distinguish  between  the  use  and  abuse  of  rea- 
son ?  And  is  it  not  infatuation  to  do  otherwise? 
Reason,  therefore,  and  candour,  and,  u  hat  is  more, 
the  authority  of  God,  requires  you  to  try,  by  the 
touchstone  of  his  word,  whatever  claims  to  be  the 
fruit  of  the  Spirit,  lest  you  condemn  what  is  really 
wise  and  excellent,  when  its  base  counterfeit  only 
deserves  to  be  condemned.  If  you  refuse  to  ex- 
amine by  this  test,  it  is  plain,  enmity  against  the 
Spirit's  influence  reigns  in  your  heart ;  therefore, 
with  impious  rashness,  you  gladly  confound  thiiigs 


1.76  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

most  widely  different,  the  Spirit  of  truth  with  the 
spirit  of  delusion. 

The  other  plea  urged,  with  airs  of  great  confi- 
dence, against  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Ghost  on 
the  heart,  is  as  shamefully  inconclusive  ;  ignorance 
of  such  influence  on  their  own  minds,  we  know, 
say  all  profane,  careless,  and  proud  men,  nothing 
of  this  kind.  Argue,  therefore,  as  long  as  you  please 
about  it,  we  are  determined  to  believe  it  is  only  the 
mere  work  of  imagination.  In  every  other  case, 
you  would  despise  this  inference  as  a  palpable  ab- 
surdity. Was  any  one  to  affirm,  we  never  ought  to 
believe  another  person  can  possess  any  excellency  to 
which  we  are  strangers,  would  not  you  think  their 
stupidity  too  great  to  deserve  an  answer  ?  We  do 
not  esteem  brutes  capable  of  judging  about  the  per- 
fections of  man  ;  nor  some  men  at  all  more  capable 
of  judging  what  excellencies  others  have  attained. 
Men  eminent  in  the  sciences  feel  a  pleasure,  to  which 
all  besides  are  strangers.  Should  a  number  of 
clowns  grin  and  scoff  at  the  mention  of  such  plea- 
sures, confident  they  have  no  reality,  would  not 
their  folly  be  too  gross  to  need  a  reply  ?  But  the 
difference  between  spiritual  men,  and  all  who  know 
no  more  than  their  own  understanding  can  teach 
them,  is  greater  than  that  between  clowns  and 
philosophers.  This  is  certain  from  scripture,  be- 
cause there  the  difference  between  men  born  of  the 
Spirit,  and  those  born  of  the  flesh  only,  is  called  a 
passage  from  darkness  to  marvellous  light,  from 
death  to  life,  to  exercise  the  mind  with  high  esteem, 
frequency,  and  delight,  on  subjects  before  neglect- 
ed, despised,  abhorred.  Besides,  when  it  is  said, 
we  will  admit  no  operation  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in  the 
soul,  because  we  know  not  there  is  any,  this  is  to 
make  their  own  knowledge  the  measure  of  truth  ;  a 
folly  of  the  largest  size.  '  They  have  a  right  to  say, 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  17? 

**  We  indeed  know  nothing  of  divine  influence  on 
our  own  hearts  ;"  we  never  receive  any  illumination 
of  our  minds,  or  change  in  our  will,  no  desire  of 
communion  with  God,  or  joy  or  consolation  in 
Christ.  Ail  unreasonable  and  wicked  men,  who 
have  not  faith,  may  with  great  truth  speak  thus  of 
themselves  ;  and  in  this  manner  the  scripture  con- 
stantly speaks  of  their  condition.  But  to  go  farther, 
and  be  confident  it  is  the  same  with  all  men  as  with 
themselves,  this  is  to  deny  the  essential  difference 
which  marks  those  who  love  and  are  in  Christ 
Jesus,  and  separates  them  from  the  children  of  this 
world.  It  is  impudently  to  deny  there  is  any  work 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  though  the  scripture  gives  a 
clear,  full,  distinct  account  of  this  work,  and  of  the 
life  it  produces  and  maintains  in  the  soul.  It  is  to 
lie  against  the  Holy  Ghost ;  because,  if  there  be  no 
operation  from  him,  then  the  scripture,  which  so 
constantly  speaks  of  his  influences,  commanding  men 
to  seek  after  them,  is  a  fable,  though  it  be  said  to  be 
written  by  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Finally, 
such  an  absurd  assertion  betrays  the  miserable  condi- 
tion of  your  soul  who  make  it,  since  you  could  not 
prate  with  malicious  words  against  this  divine  Agent, 
unless  you  was  yourself  earthly,  sensual,  having  not 
the  Spirit. 


PRAYER, 

For  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

ALMIGHTY,  eternal  Spirit,  glory  be  to  thee, 
by  wh  -.f  inspiration  all  scripture  was  given.  Glory 
be  to  thee,  for  all  die  signs  and  wonders,  wrought 
bytliee,  through  the  apostles,  to  bring  the  Heathen 
to  be  the  heritage  of  the  Lord,  and  the  utmost  parts 

Y 


ITS  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 


Y«* 


of  the  earth  to  be  his  possession.  Thou  art  the 
Comforter  who  dost  testify  of  Christ,  and  open  the 
eyes  of  men  to  behold  the  excellency  of  those  things, 
which  naturally  we  receive  not,  neither  can  we  know 
them.  By  thy  sacred  influence  on  our  minds,  may 
we  be  able  to  say  with  affiduce,  Jesus  Christ  is  Lord. 
Glorify  him ;  give  us  to  understand  and  firmly  be* 
lieve  that  Jesus,  by  his  death,  resurrection,  and  as- 
cension into  heaven,  hath  vanqui  hed  Satan,  and  de- 
livered man. 

We  desire  to  live  in  the  Spirit,  and  walk  in  the 
Spirit,  to  cherish  all  tliy  suggestions,  and  yield  our- 
selves up  to  be  guided  by  thy  counsel. 

And  knowing  how  apt  pride  is  to  betray  us  into 
filthy  dreams,  and  bring  reproach  upon  our  Chris- 
tian profession,  we  beg  w^e  may  bear  witness  to 
the  reality  of  thy  influence  in  our  souls,  by  bringing 
forth  all  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit  in  love,  peace,  joy, 
gentleness,  meekness,  goodness,  faith,  temperance. 

Lead  into  the  way  of  truth,  O  Almighty  Spirit, 
all  vvho  are  deceived  by  Satan's  subtlety  ;  who  boast 
themselves  to  be  full  of  the  Spirit,  though  they  be 
heady,  high-minded,  speaking  and  walking  contrary 
to  thy  law  and  testimony.  Give  them  to  know  and 
forsake  their  own  delusions ;  save  them,  and  endure 
them  with  a  sound  mind,  before  they  are  called  to 
answer  for  the  ofi'ence  they  give  to  the  weak,  and 
occasion  of  triumph  to  the  adversaries  of  the  Lord. 

O  that  thou  wouldst  pity  those  who  mock,  like 
the  profane  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  at  the  things 
spoken  of  thy  influence  on  the  members  of  Christ's 
church.  Bring  them,  who  in  ignorance  contradict 
and  blaspheme,  to  faith  and  repentance,  that  they 
may  themselves  experience  those  rich  blessings  they 
now  deride. 

O  Lord  and  giver  of  all  spiritual  life,  hear  the 
prayers  of  the  holy  church  universal :  pour  down 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  ITO 

thy  influence  from  on  high  upon  all  flesh ;  convert 
all  Jews,  Turks,  infidels,  and  heretics.  And  grant 
that  all  who  hear  those  oracles  written  by  thy  inspi- 
ration, may  understand,  to  their  salvation,  the  mys- 
tery of  God  the  Spirit,  the  Father,  and  of  Christ ; 
to  whom  be  everlasting  praise,  might,  majesty,  and 
dominion.     Amen. 


SUNDAY  XXIV. 

CHAP.  XXIV. 

On  true  and  false  Repentance. 

1  HE  word  of  our  Saviour  is  express,  in  concur- 
rence with  all  the  prophets,  that  without  repentance 
we  must  perish.  This  is  a  truth  too  plain  to  be  call- 
ed in  question.  Yet  the  love  of  sin  rendering  us 
averse  to  repent,  we  naturally  substitute  something 
for  repentance  consistent  with  self-indulgence,  and 
foolishly  trust  in  this  base  counterfeit. 

To  put,  therefore,  true  and  false  repentance  in 
opposition  to  each  other,  will  be  a  subject  of  much 
instruction,  and  great  use,  through  the  divine 
blessing. 

Observe,  then,  false  repentance  takes  its  rise  only 
from  fear.  When  conscience  sharply  accuses  and 
threatens  impending  destruction ;  when  the  law 
draws  up  the  indictment,  thus  and  thus  hast  thou 
done,  and  the  wages  of  thy  sin  is  death  ;  much  dis- 
tress of  mind  must  be  felt,  and  self-love  will  prompt 
to  tears  and  lamentations,  to  resolutions  and  prom- 
ises of  amendment,  and  a  renunciation  of  the  beloved 


180  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

lust,  which  is  now  the  cause  of  so  much  pain  and 
dread.  Yet  no  sooner  is  the  storm  over,  which  fear 
of  death  and  judgment  raised,  than  the  false  penitent 
grows  easy  ;  listens  again  to  his  vile  seducer,  and 
works  iniquity  with  all  greediness,  till  some  fresh 
alarm  revives  his  fears,  which  again  produce  the  same 
effects.  Thus  too  many  repent  and  live  in  sin,  till 
their  hypocrisy  receives  its  just  reward. 

Or  perhaps  deeper  impressions,  made  by  distress 
of  conscience,  produce  a  reformation  of  manners, 
and  an  abiding  dread  of  some  presumptuous  offence, 
which  has  made  the  false  penitent  smart  so  severely. 
Yet,  in  this  case,  the  sinner's  passions  are  only  chain- 
ed up,  and  he  deterred,  by  an  external  cause,  from 
living  after  the  desires  of  his  heart.  It  is  true  ter- 
rors often  prepare  the  way  for  true  repentance  ;  but, 
remaining  alone,  effect  no  conversion. 

Yet  it  is  much  better  to  tremble  under  apprehen- 
sions of  wrath  to  come,  than  have  no  forebodings, 
and  a  conscience  past  feeling.  And  far  the  greater 
part  of  true  penitents,  who  have  been  most  exem- 
plary, and  whose  conversion  encourages  the  vilest  to 
turn  to  God,  have  first  cried  for  mercy,  like  the  jailor 
at  Phiiippi,  almost  at  their  wits  end,  for  fear  of  be- 
ing lost  for  ever.  Instead,  therefore,  of  construing 
what  has  been  said  to  expose  false  repentance,  as  if 
3'ou  had  not  taken  one  step  right,  because  you  have 
turned  to  God  out  of  fear,  let  it  only  excite  you  to 
pray,  that  terrors,  and  checks,  and  reformation  from 
mere  self-love,  which  are  no  certain  proofs  of  true 
repentance,  may  be  perfected  in  what  und'ubtedly 
are.  These  certain  proofs  are,  sorrow  for  sin,  and 
avestion  to  it,  from  an  abiding  conviction  of  the  dis- 
honor and  injur)  it  offers  to  God  ;  from  a  conscious- 
ness that  your  deportment,  and  the  ruling  tempers 
of  your  heart,  before  you  turned  to  God,  have  been 
very  base  and  detestable.     The  language  of  a  true 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  181 

penitent  is  this.  **1  acknowledge  my  transgression, 
and  my  sin  is  ever  before  me.  Against  thee,  thee 
only  have  1  sinned  :  mine  iniquities  are  gone  over 
my  head  as  an  heavy  burden;  they  are  too  heavy 
for  me.  Deliver  me  from  ail  my  transgressions,  let 
not  my  sins  have  dominion  over  me."  Here  is 
hatred  of  all  sin,  and  grief  of  heart  for  having  done 
iniquity  :  here  is  a  desire,  that  no  lust  should  be 
spared,  though  dear  as  a  right  eye.  How  glaring  a 
difference  between  the  restraints  of  fear,  and  casting 
away  sin  because  compelled  for  a  season  by  the 
lashes  of  a  guilty  conscience,  and  loathing  ourselves 
for  what  we  have  done,  and  the  very  temptations 
and  motives  with  which  we  so  vilely  and  readily 
complied  ;  between  a  mere  regard  to  our  own  safety, 
and  ardent  fixed  desires  to  conquer  corruption  in 
every  shape,  and  live  for  God  alone ! 

False  repentance  dishonors  God,  by  distrusting 
his  mercy.  It  is  full  of  unbelief  though  a  blessed 
door  of  hope  is  opened  for  smners  of  largest  size  and 
deepest  dve  ;  though  pardon  and  everlasting  salva- 
tion are  offered  without  money,  or  price,  to  ruiiud 
sinners,  through  the  blood  of  Christ,  which  cleaus.eth 
from  all  sin.  Even  in  this  gioriuus  refuge,  the  false 
penitent  sees  no  safety.  The  law  of  G(;d  chailt  n.ges 
his  obedience,  and  condemns  his  transgrebsion^ : 
conscience  concurs  with  the  precept  and  sentence  of 
the  law ;  in  order,  therefore,  to  pacify  conscience, 
satisfy  the  law,  and  lay  a  good  foundation,  as  he 
thinks,  of  hope,  the  false  penitent  is  made  up  of  re- 
solutions, promises,  attempts  to  obey  better,  pen- 
ances, and  a  variety  of  self-righteous  schemes. 
But  his  sad  defects  in  all  these  things  still  leave  him 
in  fears,  which  again  excite  to  new  endeavours. 
Thus  a  false  penitent,  notwithstanding  the  greatness 
of  his  sorrow,  and  the  pain  of  his  convictions,  still 
seeks  righteousness  by  his  works,  afraid  to  trust  in 


182  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

the  mercy  of  God,  manifested  in  the  death  of  his 
only  Son.  Indeed,  a  false  penitent  may  have  so 
much  regard  to  Christ,  as  to  use  his  name  in  prayer 
for  pardon,  though  he  dare  not  trust  in  his  sacrifice 
for  it :  still  he  has  a  secret  hope  that  his  sorrow,  if  it 
were  more  sincere,  his  reformation,  if  more  exem-» 
plary,  and  his  performance  of  duties,  if  more  exact, 
would  recommend  him  to  the  favour  of  God,  more 
than  Christ's  merits  can,  and  prove  a  better  security 
against  punishment.  He  cannot  look  for  the  mercy 
of  God  unto  eternal  life,  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ ;  he  must  feel  some  worthiness  of  it  in  him- 
self. 

The  nature  of  true  repentance  is  in  every  respect 
different.  The  true  penitent  approaches  his  much 
inj  ured  Maker,  feeling  his  desert  of  eternal  rejection, 
but  he  comes  before  a  mercy -seat.  He  confesses, 
were  God  to  mark  iniquity,  he  could  not  stand  be- 
fore him,  yet  remembers  there  is  forgiveness  with 
him,  that  he  may  be  feared,  and  plenteous  redemp- 
tion. He  looks  to  the  blood  of  Christ  alone  to 
cleanse  his  soul,  and  take  away  the  curse  due  to  his 
great  offences.  "  Wash  me  thoroughly  from  my 
wickedness,  and  cleanse  me  from  my  sin ;  purge  me 
with  hyssop,  and  I  shall  be  clean,  v/ash  me  and  I 
shall  be  whiter  than  snow."  This  hope  of  mercy 
imbitters  to  him  all  his  sins,  makes  him  loathe  them, 
and  cry  for  deliverance. 

Is  God  ready  to  forgive,  saith  the  true  penitent, 
and  have  I  sinned  against  such  astonishing  goodness  ? 
Is  sin  so  hateful  to  him,  that,  to  make  atonement, 
it  must  be  punished  in  his  dear  Son  ?  How  then 
must  1  appear  in  his  eyes,  who  am  nothing  but  sin? 
Have  my  offences  been  accessory  in  nailing  Christ  to 
his  cross,  and  bringing  him  under  thq  agonies  of  a 
cursed  death,  and  shall  I  take  pleasure  in  them 
again  ?  Have  I  dishonored  God  so  much  already, 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  18^ 

loaded  his  dear  Son  with  so  many  indignities,  and 
brought  such  a  charge  of  sin  upon  myself?  It  is 
high  time  to  cast  away  every  vile  lust,  as  an  enemy 
to  God. 

How  plain  is  the  opposition  here  between  flying 
from  God  in  fear,  like  Adam  after  his  fall,  and  an 
humble  self- condemning  approach  to  him,  like  the 
prodigal  son  to  his  Father ;  between  proud,  though 
earnest  attempts  to  obtain  favor  with  God  by  new- 
ness of  life,  and  dependence  for  p^u-don  on  the  blood 
of  Christ  alone  ;  between  distress  from  regard  to 
personal  safety,  and  grief  and  shame  for  sin,,  as  the 
greatest  evil  in  the  world,  and  the  basest  return  to 
God  and  Christ. 

False  repentance  can  consist  with  aversion  to  God 
and  his  law ;  in  true,  the  love  of  both  prevails. 
Those  terrors,  which  awakened  sinners  feel,  arise 
from  lively  apprehensions  of  God's  justice.  They 
know  they  have  greatly  provoked  him,  and  there- 
fore want  some  covert  from  his  wrath ;  and  having 
some  idea  both  of  his  holiness  and  power  he  appears 
an  insupportable  enemy.  They  desire,  therefore,  to 
be  at  peace  with  him,,  knowing  the  quarrel  will 
end  in  their  everlasting  destruction.  Upon  this  ac- 
count they  resolve  to  obey  him,  as  slaves  serve  dili- 
gently a  tyrannical  master,  though  their  inclination 
be  directly  contrary  to  their  work.  Thus  in  the 
case  of  false  penitents,  were  the  penalty  of  the  law 
removed,  they  would  presently  return  to  their  old 
course  with  delight. 

The  true  penitent,  on  the  contrary,  sees  great  ex- 
cellency in  obedience,  and  strives,  for  this  reason, 
to  obey  with  all  exactness.  He  grieves,  not  because 
the  law  is  so  strict,  or  its  penalty  so  terrible  (for  he 
esteems  the  law  to  be  holy,  and  the  commandment 
holy,  and  just,  and  good),  but  that  he  is  carnal,  sold 
under  sin;  that,  from  a  nature  opposite  in  its  bent  to 


184  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

God,  he  can  make  no  better  progress  in  his  ways 
and  service.  He  breathes  earnestly  after  holiness, 
esteeming  it  no  less  a  blessing  than  deliverance  from 
condemnation :  he  does  not  desire  the  law  should 
bend  to  his  corruptions,  but  that  his  heart  should 
become  fully  subject  to  it.  To  partake  of  the  re- 
demption that  is  in  Jesus,  to  make  a  progress  in  con- 
quering every  vile  affection,  and  to  live  in  commun- 
ion with  God,  is  the  whole  wish  of  his  soul. 

False  repentance  wears  off  with  the  alarming  con- 
victions from  which  it  sprung  ;  but  true  repentance 
is  the  constant  exercise  of  the  soul.  Many  sad  in- 
stances we  find  of  persons,  who  for  a  time  appear 
under  much  trouble  and  sorrow  for  their  sins,  yet 
they  return  to  them.  Others  quiet  their  consciences, 
by  reflecting  upon  the  distress  they  once  were  in  for 
their  sins,  and  take  comfort  in  their  reformation  and 
formal  course  of  religious  duties.  From  hence 
they  become  lukewarm  and  secure.  Some  of  this 
character  will  even  boast  of  their  experience,  and 
talk  of  the  joy  they  have  in  God,  whilst  they  know 
nothing  of  humiliation,  for  their  remaining  manifold 
corruptions,  imperfect  duties,  and  numerous  fail- 
ings. Hence,  their  prayers  are  habitually  offered 
up  in  a  slothful  spirit,  without  desiring  an  answer  ; 
the  great  things  of  God's  law  are  but  mean  in  their 
eyes,  and  all  their  religion  is  reduced  to  a  lifeless 
form,  to  God  hateful,  and  to  themselves  unpro- 
fitable. 

On  the  contrary,  true  repentance  produces  lasting 
self-abasement  for  remaining  corruptions,  as  they 
are  discovered.  The  true  penitent  does  not  forget 
his  past  sins,  because  he  has  peace  with  God.  The 
enjoyment  of  so  high  a  favor  makes  the  remem- 
brance of  his  offences  much  more  grievous.  Not 
that  he  looks  back  to  past  years  for  matter  of  humil- 
iation ;  \\iz  present  state  of  mind  calls  upon  him  to 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  185 

renew  his  confession  and  sorrow  before  God.  Such 
frequent  workings  of  a  carnal,  worldly,  unbelieving 
spirit  ;  so  little  love  to  God  or  man ;  such  a  taint 
brought  upon  the  soul,  under  provocations  to  envy, 
pride,  anger,  impurity,  and  discontent,  though  his 
fellow-creatures  see  it  not,  yet  he  groans  often,  be- 
ing burdened  with  an  evil  nature.  Sorrow  and 
shame  therefore  for  sin,  he  continues  to  feel,  till 
death  gives  him  a  discharge  from  this  warfare. 

Do  I  know  (says  the  true  penitent)  that  God  has 
pardoned  my  sins  ?  What  an  instance  of  mercy  is 
this  !  How  marvellous  the  grace  which  plucked  a 
brand  out  of  the  fire !  And  am  I  still  doing  so 
little  for  him  who  hath  done  so  much  for  me  ?  O 
vile  ingratitude  !  O  that  I  could  obtain  more  victory 
over  my  corruptions  !  How  often  have  I  lamented 
my  infirmities  and  defects,  yet  have  cause  to  do 
so  still !  How  often  designing  and  pursuing  closer 
communion  with  God,  but  what  a  poor  progress  do 
I  make  !  How  would  the  defilement  found  in  my 
best  duties  separate  betwixt  God  and  my  soul  for 
ever,  had  1  not  the  blood  of  Christ  to  cleanse  me, 
and  the  benefits  of  his  intercession,  as  my  glorious 
Advocate  with  the  Father !  O  wretched  man  that  I 
am,  who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this 
death? 


SUNDAY  XXV. 

CHAP.  XXV. 

The  same  Subject  continued. 


False  repentance  produces  only  a  partial  amend- 
ment ;    true,  and  equal  opposition  to  every   kind 


tm  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

©f  disobedience.  As  some  gross  offence  generally 
excites  that  fear  which  is  the  life  of  false  repentance, 
deliverance  from  its  dominion  too  frequently  satisfies 
without  any  further  change.  Or,  if  the  false  peni- 
tent is  zealous  for  religious  duties,  who  was  once 
profane,  he  will  live  in  strife,  injustice,  and  unchar- 
itableness  ;  if  he  contend  earnestly  for  the  truth  of  the 
gospel,  he  will  love  money,  and  value  it  more  than 
the  peace  of  God ;  and,  under  the  form  of  godliness, 
he  feels  no  power  from  on  high  :  like  those  of  Lao- 
dicea,  he  is  perfectly  satisfied  with  himself. 

Directly  opposite  to  this  is  the  character  of  a  true 
penitent.  He  finds,  indeed,  as  we  observe d  before, 
continual  cause  to  confess  his  imperfections,  and 
seek  renewed  pardon  in  the  blood  of  Christ.  But 
though  he  has  not  already  attained,  neither  is  already 
perfect,  yet  he  watches  and  strives  against  all  that 
is  evil,  and  labours  to  be  transformed  into  the  im- 
age of  God.  He  cannot  be  satisfied  with  freedom 
from  presumptuous  transgression :  all  the  graces 
of  the  blessed  Spirit  are  beautiful  in  his  eyes ;  he 
cannot  live  without  them  :  purity,  humility,  meek- 
ness, charity,  patience,  faith,  and  love,  are  implant- 
ed in  his  soul,  and  he  constantly  uses  the  appointed 
means  to  establish  and  increase  them  more  and 
more.  1  confess,  said  the  true  penitent,  my  heart 
is  deceitful  above  all  things,  and  desperately  wicked  ; 
this  makes  me  feel  the  need  I  have  of  power  and 
grace  from  Heaven  to  keep  me  :  yet  my  desire  is 
before  the  Lord,  and  my  groaning  is  not  hid  from 
him.  I  can  truly  say,  I  hate  the  thought  of  foolish- 
ness, but  thy  law  do  I  love.  O  that  my  ways  were 
made  so  direct  that  1  might  keep  thy  law. 

It  will  suffice  to  mention  but  one  instance  more. 
False  repentance  suffers  us  basely  to  yield  to  the 
fear  of  man,  whilst  true  repentance  leads  us  to  for- 
sake all  to  fcjllQw  Christ.     Many  set  out  a  little  way% 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  U7 

and  run  well  in  religion,  till  love  of  praise  or  dread 
of  contempt  conquers  them,  and  they  turn  back. 
Their  own  relations,  or  persons  who  can  be  of  great 
advantage  to  them  in  the  world,  must  at  all  events 
be  pleased;  no  sinful  ways,  therefore,  must  they 
abstain  from  as  filthiness,  if  so  doing  will  forfeit 
their  favor,   by  whom  they   may   gain  or  lose  sq 

much. 

The  true  penitent,  on  the  contrary,  heartily 
ashamed  of  his  past  life,  and  determined,  from  love 
to  God,  to  do  his  will,  carefully  avoids  every  snare 
and  every  occasion  which  would  endanger  a  relapse. 
He  will  no  longer  comply  with  evil  customs,  or  call 
innocent  what  gives  temptation  its  most  inviting 
form  ;  diverts  the  thoughts  entirely  from  God  arid 
eternal  thmgs,  and  inflames  those  passions,  which 
wisdom,  interest,  and  duty  require  men  to  suppress. 
For  conscience  sake,  therefore,  he  will  risk  the 
loss  of  temporal  advantages,  and  resist  the  entreaties, 
and  btar  the  frowns  of  relations  and  friends,  sooner 
thzm  be  seduced  from  his  vigilant  jealousy  over  sin, 
and  all  approaches  to  it.  He  will  walk  with  great 
circumspection  in  regard  to  all  persons  and  things, 
lest  they  should  obstruct  him  in  his  pilgrimage.  It 
is  his  steadfast  purpose,  lose  or  suft(  r  what  he  may, 
never  to  yield  to  popular  errors,  or  the  fashion  of 
neglecting  the  soul,  but  to  repel  every  insinuating 
advocate  for  conformity  to  custom,  saying,  **  Depart 
from  me,  ye  wicked,  1  will  keep  the  commandments 
of  my  God." 

The  vast  importance  of  the  subject  requires  us 
to  sum  up  the  several  particular  instances  in  which 
true  and  false  repentance  differ.  False  repentance 
is  the  offspring  of  fear ;  true,  of  hght  from  Heaven, 
which  makes  sin  appear  exceeding  sinful.  False 
repentance  seeks  relief  from  its  fears,  and  builds  it?, 
hope  on  better  obedience,  suspicious  of  the  atpnc- 


188  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

ment  made  on  the  cross  ;  true,  confides  in  this  alone 
having  the  heart  sprinkled  with  the  blood  of  Christ 
from  an  evil  conscience.  False  repentance  can  con- 
sist with  an  aversion  to  God  and  his  law ;  in  true, 
there  is  a  love  to  both.  False  repentance  is  temporary- 
respecting  gross  sins,  and  then  settles  into  a  despica- 
ble form  of  religion  ;  true,  is  an  abiding  self-abase- 
ment before  God,  for  which  there  appears  abundant 
cause  from  growth  in  the  knowledge  of  him,  and  of 
ourselves.  In  false  repentance,  some  beloved  lust 
or  base  temper  is  spared,  and  a  partial  obedience  is 
oiFered  up  to  God ;  in  true,  the  change  is  universal, 
and  followed  with  all  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit.  False 
repentance  will  lead  a  man  to  obey  God  only  so  far 
as  he  may  without  persecution  or  reproach  ;  true,  is 
content  to  go  through  evil  report,  content  with  the 
praise  of  God,  let  men  think  or  do  as  they  please. 

This  vievv^  of  the  difference  between  false  repent- 
ance, and  that  which  is  unto  salvation,  would  be  suf- 
ficient on  the  subject,  were  the  word  of  God  gene- 
rally known  and  received  :  for  that  commands  "  all 
men  to  repent ;"  affirming,  that  eternal  ruin  must 
follow  except  we  repent.  But,  alas  !  in  fiat  contra- 
diction to  scripture,  the  fashionable  sentiment  and 
general  conclusion  is,  that  those  only  need  repent- 
ance whose  wickedness  offends  society  ;  the  lewd, 
the  drunken,  the  dishonest,  and  profane.  In  the 
judgment  of  the  world,  ignorant  of  natural  deprav- 
ity, and  proudly  prejudiced  against  the  doctrine, 
much  evil  must  first  be  committed,  before  a  change  of 
life  and  heart  can  be  at  all  necessary.  To  speak  out 
more  plainly,  a  sober  young  gentleman,  who  has 
been  dutiful  to  his  parents,  kind  to  his  relations, 
well  esteemed  abroad,  and  much  commended  at 
home,  kept  at  the  same  time,  by  his  afiluence,  from 
the  temptation  of  doing  any  thing  men  in  general 
account  base,  is  apt  extravagantly  to  overrate  his 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  189 

own  conduct,  as  all  around  him  do,  and  to  suppose 
he  has  done  nothing  which  calls  for  ^odly  sorrow, 
or  ought  to  trouble  his  conscience  :  he  is  confident 
you  greatly  injure  him  by  insisting  that  he  can  never 
be  saved,  without  such  a  sense  of  sin,  loathing  of 
himself,  fluth  in  Christ,  and  zeal  to  honor  God,  as 
constitute  true  repentance. 

In  the  same  mistake  a  young  lady,  trained  up  to 
affability  and  politeness,  to  love  peace  and  harmony, 
can  be  guilty  of  no  offence  in  the  eyes  of  the  world, 
without  doing  violence  to  all  the  restraints  of  mod- 
esty, decency,  and  character  ;  of  consequence,  self- 
pleasing  thoughts  of  her  own  virtues  will  fill  her 
mind  :  she  will  hardly  believe  a  young  lady  of  her 
good  character  has  any  occasion  to  confess  her  sin- 
fulness before  God  with  shame  and  sorrow,  or  that 
she  needs  repentance.  Many,  and  of  great  name 
too,  I  allow,  are  advocates  in  favor  of  such  amiable 
persons,  who  conclude  (human  frailty  considered) 
none  can  be  in  a  better  state.  But  the  scripture  is 
the  decisive  standard  of  right  and  wrong,  and  must 
at  last  prevail.  Now,  the  scripture  has  condemned 
all.  No  sobriety  of  manners,  therefore,  no  dutiful 
or  kind  carriage  towards  parents  and  relations,  can 
exempt  you  from  this  condemnation  :  nor  can  your 
stave  be  safe,  till  you  have  repented.  A  charge  of 
great  sinfulness  stands  in  full  force  against  you,  as 
shall  now  be  jjroved. 

Be  it  granted  that  you  have  been  always  decent 
and  of  good  report ;  that  no  relation  or  friend,  touch- 
ing  your  behaviour  to  tliem,  can  see  any  thing  which 
wants  amendment.  To  a  better  character  no  one, 
void  of  true  repentance,  can  lay  claim.  Yet,  grant- 
ing all  this,  an  entire  change  of  heart  is  as  necessarv 
before  you  can  please  God,  or  be  meet  for  heaven,  as 
in  them  whose  company  you  flee  for  the  baseness  of 
their  conduct. 


lU  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

Consider,  much  admired  j^outh,  how  has  your 
heart  stood  affected  towards  your  Creator,  Preserver, 
and  Judge  ?  You  have  received  from  his  bouiuy 
every  endowment  which  makes  you  please.  He  is 
infinitely  excellent.  Have  you  loved  him,  and  from 
love  employed  your  time,  talents,  and  influence  as 
he  has  commanded  you  to  do  ?  Do  you  reverence 
his  word,  meditate  with  pleasure  on  its  sacred  con- 
tents, and  in  the  solemn  hours  of  prayer,  endeavour 
to  honor  him  by  the  deep  humilit\  of  your  soul  ? 
In  obedience  to  his  tender  counsel,  do  you  avoid 
giving  into  fashionable  conversation,  calculated  to 
justify  and  indulge  pride,  sensuality,  ambition,  or 
avarice  ?  Is  your  desire  above  all  things  to  live  in 
subjection  to  God,  and  continually  to  depend,  as  he 
commands,  for  righteousness  and  strength  on  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  ? 

If  conscience  testifies  that  you  are  a  stranger  to 
such  intentions  and  tempers  (and  it  must  testify  so, 
except  you  have  repented),  then  your  life  has  been 
led  entirely  under  the  power  of  a  depraved  mind  ; 
it  has  been  one  continued  course  of  sin,  notwith- 
standing your  many  amiable  qualities,  and  all  the 
esteem  they  have  procured  you:  for  your  whole 
study  and  aim  has  been  to  please  yourself,  and  gain 
reputation.  God,  his  truth,  honor,  love,  and  mer- 
cies, have  been  utterly  forgotten.  In  the  midst  of 
all  that  decent  regard  which  you  paid  without  failure 
to  every  one  around  you,  God  alone  has  been  treat- 
ed with  neglect.  But  if  this  be  true,  what  account 
is  to  be  made  of  your  exemption  from  the  common 
vices  of  youth,  or  your  great  and  good  character 
amongst  men  ?  Is  not  neglect  of  God,  and  injustice 
towards  him,  a  charge  of  itself  sufficiently  base  and 
wicked  ?  Does  it  not  call  for  deep  sorrow,  for  self- 
abliorrence,  for  an  entire  change  of  mind  ?  Or  can 
any  one  absurdly  suppose  all  offences  immediately 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  in 

against  God  are  cancelled  by  amiable  deportment  to 
parents,  and  relations,  and  friends  ?  Where  no  de- 
sire to  please  God  forms  and  governs  the  temper, 
the  diflference  must  be  noihing,  whether  self-love 
chooses  a  way  of  gratification  more  reputable,  or  one 
which  men  agree  to  reproach.  In  both  cases,  the 
service  of  God  is  equally  despised,  and  himself  treat- 
ed as  a  cypher.  Without  true  repentance,  therefore, 
you  remain  involved  in  ail  the  guilt  and  misery  of 
a  creature  fallen  from  God,  setting  up  your  'will 
above  his  law,  and  yourself  above  him ;  and,  dying 
in  such  a  spirit,  you  must  be  lost. 

Equally  vain  (tiiOJgh  very  common)  is  it  for  men 
to  trust  in  honesty  or  generosity  to  relations,  depend- 
ents and  neighbours,  as  setting  a  side,  in  rheir  case, 
the  need  of  true  repentance.  What  can  be  more 
weak?  Is  no  sin  but  dishonesty  forbidden,  or  hate- 
ful to  God  ?  Is  there  the  least  hint  in  his  revelation, 
that  one  or  two  good  qualities  will  atone  for  what  is 
wicked  and  detestable  ?  You  may  abhor  every  spe- 
cies of  dishonesty,  and  delight  to  do  acts  of  kind- 
ness, yet  be  proud  and  self-sufficient  as  Lucifer, 
lustful  as  a  satyr,  utterly  profane  as  an  infidel ;  a 
stranger  to  every  temper  a  creature  and  a  sinner 
ouglit  to  feel,  as  much  as  if  you  were  the  vilest  cheat 
on  earth.  I  grant,  selfish  men  extol  honesty  and 
bciievolence  with  the  loudest  applause  ;  yet  must  the 
mind  be  humble,  before  the  honest,  generous  man 
can  please  his  Maker.  "Though  I  give  all  my 
goods  to  the  poor,  and  have  not  love"  (the  love  of 
God  and  man,  which,  before  true  repentance,  can 
have  no  place  in  the  heart),  "  it  profiteth  me  noth- 
ing.'* 

When  the  observance  of  social  duties,  therefore, 
is  used  as  a  plea  to  dispense  with  godly  sorrow  for 
sin,  and  dependence  upon  Christ  for  salvation,  the 
Heaven-dariiig  imagination  proves  the  heart,  which 


194  COMPLETi:  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

harbours  it,  totall}^  depraved,  and  requires  as  great 
an  exercise  of  mercy  to  forgive  so  wicked  a  thought, 
as  to  pardon  those  who  defraud  and  injure  men. 

You  have  now  been  instructed  in  the  nature  of 
true  repentance/,  that  it  is  an  entire  change  of  judg- 
ment, tempers,  and  practice:  and  that  every  creature, 
fallen  from  God  and  righteousness,  must  experience 
this  divine  change,  or  perish. 

I  w^ould  hope,  therefore,  your  conscience  is  now 
in  some  degree  awakened,  and  that  you  desire  to 
know  what  method  you  must  take,  in  order  that 
your  repentance  may  be  unto  salvation.  If  this  be 
your  desire,  instead  of  multiplying  directions,  it  will 
suffice  to  point  out  the  few  which  follow. 

Read  much  the  scripture,  wath  prayer  to  under- 
stand it,  as  the  method  which  God  has  prescribed 
for  your  recovery,  and  dwell  on  those  particular 
pans  which  describe  the  nature  of  true  repentance. 
The  fifty -first  psalm  delineates,  to  perfection,  all  the 
properties  of  a  contrite  spirit  returning  to  God.  The 
fifteenth  of  St.  Luke  presents  us  with  an  affecting 
picture  of  an  acceptable  penitent ;  and  in  the  fifth 
and  sixth  chapters  of  the  Ephesians,  the  entire  change 
of  heart  and  life  essential  to  ail  Christians,  is  at  large 
laid  before  you.  These,  and  several  similar  parts  of 
scripture,  you  must  read  with  care,  and  take  pains 
to  understand.  In  this  employment,  you  are  seek- 
ing after  knowledge,  and  are  in  the  way  to  have  those 
very  dispositions  towards  God  spring  up  in  your 
soul,  which,  you  read,  constitute  true  repentance. 

2.  Consider,  with  much  attention,  the  corruption 
of  your  nature.  Only  commune  with  vour  own 
heart,  and  you  will  immediately  find  your  inclina- 
tions strongly  bent  to  many  things  you  ought  to 
hate,  and  that  you  have  a  great  aversion  to  things 
excellent ;  you  will  observe  an  excessive  degree  of 
selfishness  cleaves  to  you,  and  a  lamentable  indiffer- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  19,'? 

» 

cuce  to  the  peace,  comfort,  and  wclflire  of  others. 
Upon  examination,  you  will  find  many  base  tempers 
have  a  root  in  your  heart,  and  work  on  all  tempta- 
tions suited  to  excite  them  to  your  great  defilement. 

The  fruit  also  of  this  natural  depravity,  you  must 
observe,  has  appeared  in  your  numerous  offences. 
Recollect  the  several  relations  and  places  you  from 
your  childhood  have  lived  in,  and  what  your  faults 
were  in  each.     Above  all,  dwell  on  what  is  called  in 
scripture  your  own  iniquity,  which  has  enslaved  and 
defiled  you  above  every  other  corruption :  it  may 
be  passion,    pride,   envy,   lewdness,   lying  love  of 
money,  or  praise  from  men.     Call  to  remembrance 
the  many  instances  in  which  your  sin  has  broken  out, 
so  as  to  leave  great  guilt  upon  your  mind,  and  sharp 
upbraidings,  yet  has  prevailed  after  all.    Think  how 
you  have  pleaded  for  rebellion  against  God  in  your 
own  case,   stifled  convictions,  and  even  presumptu- 
ously, and  with  deliberation,  done  evil.    Think  with 
what  neglect  and  contempt  you   have  treated  the 
gospel,  though  the  wisdom  of  God,  the  great  result 
of  his  infinite  understanding  and  richest  mercy.  You 
would  not  so  much  as  inquire  about  it,  or  take  the 
least  pains  to  inform  yourself  why  Christ  came  into 
the  world,  and  what  benefits  are  to  be  received  from 
him.     Conclude  with  reckoning  up  the  several  ag- 
gravations of  your  sins  ;  that  they  have  been  com- 
mitted after  counsels  and  reproofs,  warnings,  judg- 
ments, deliverances,  and  tender  mercies.     No  one 
has  been  a  transgressor  in  so  little  a  degree,  but  upon 
a  fair  and  honest  detail  of  his  offences,  so  far  as  con- 
science has   registered  them  (though  there  be  yet 
only  a  small  knowledge   of  duty)  but  he  will  find 
himself  an  offender  far  beyond  what  he  has  con- 
ceived. 

This  examination  must  be  crowned  with  prayer, 
for  repentance  is  the  gift  of  God.     We  are  pleased 

A  a 


194  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

to  think,  it  is  an  easy  work  to  repent,  and  conclude 
sickness,  or  advance  in  age,  or  fear  of  death,  will 
of  themselves  lead  us  to  repentance.  Proud  mistake, 
manifest  by  daily  experience !  and  a  contradiction  to 
the  Holy  Ghost,  who  calls  repentance  the  grant  of 
God.  To  fix  on  the  heart  a  conviction  of  sinfulness, 
and  self-loathing  for  it ;  to  obtain  confidence  in 
Christ,  and  zeal  for  his  honor,  evidencing  themselves 
in  newness  of  ^life,  must  be  the  effect  of  Almighty 
grace,  because  self-love  violently  resents  every  charge 
of  a  heinous  nature,  and  every  natural  passion  rises 
up  in  indignation  against  confessing  ourselves  to  be 
vile  and  hell -deserving;  whilst  it  is  impossible,  with- 
out divine  light,  to  see  any  thing  lovely  in  a  God 
who  so  severely  condemns  those  very  lusts  which 
have  long  been  indulged  as  sources  of  our  pleasure. 
Wherefore,  from  that  fountain  only  whence  proceeds 
every  good  and  perfect  gift,  you  must  receive  repen- 
tance unto  life.  As  a  reasonable,  immortal  creature, 
you  are  commanded  to  repent;  and  as  a  helpless  sinner, 
insufficient  to  every  good  work,  you  are  also  taught 
to  pray  for  his  Spirit,  that  you  may  be  obedient  to 
his  command.  It  is  your  own  part  to  confess  your 
own  inability  to  glorify  God  by  true  repentance,  and 
implore  him,  in  whose  hands  are  the  hearts  of  all 
men,  to  help  you  effectually  against  yourself,  the 
world,  and  Satan.  The  following  prayer,  so  very 
humbling,  availeth  much :  "  Turn  thou  us,  O  good 
Lord,  and  so  shall  we  be  turned.  Sa\'e  us,  and  we 
shall  be  saved,  for  thou  art  our  praise." 


PRAYER, 

Suited  to  the  preceding  Subject. 

GLORY  be  to  Thee,   O  God,  who  hast  exalted 
thy  Christ  to  be  a    Prince  and  Saviour,  to  give  re- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  195 

pentance  and  remission  of  sins.  Thou  hast  com- 
manded all  men  every  where  to  repent,  and  unless 
we  repent,  we  must  perish.  Let  no  delusions  de- 
ceive us,  and  puff  us  up  with  pride,  no  restraints  of 
education  or  reputation  amongst  men,  or  praise  from 
them,  make  us  fancy  we  are  innocent,  and  need  no 
repentance.  From  such  blindness  and  hardness  of 
heart,  good  Lord,  deliver  us.  Convince  us  it  is  a 
great  provocation  in  thy  sight  for  man  to  say,  1  am 
innocent,  neither  is  there  iniquity  in  me,  for  which  I 
ought  to  mourn.  Teach  us,  O  God  of  truth  and 
mercy,  to  know  the  precious  grace  of  repentance 
from  ail  counterfeits  which  deceive  so  many.  Let 
no  other  evidence  satisfy  our  souls  that  we  are  in  the 
number  of  tuose  who  have  repented  unto  life,  but 
the  casting  away  all  our  transgressions,  loathing  our- 
selves for  the  evil  of  our  doings,  and  flying  for  re- 
fuge to  the  hope  set  before  us  in  the  death  of  thy 
Son.  Have  mercy  on  all  who  are  wounded  in  spirit, 
and  distressed  for  sin  ;  give  them  beauty  for  ashes, 
and  the  garment  of  praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness, 
that  they  may  flourish  as  trees  of  the  Lord's  plant- 
ing, that  he  may  be  glorified.  Bring  those  to  the 
right  use  of  their  reason,  who  are  putting  off'  their 
repentance  to  a  time  of  sickness,  and  the  approach 
of  death.  Alarm  them,  and  sweep  away  the  refuge 
of  lies  in  which  they  hide  themselves.  Speak  by 
thy  Spirit,  what  is  said  in  thy  word,  unto  ail  such 
dcspisers  of  their  own  souls ;  in  the  great  water- 
floods,  they  shall  not  come  nigh  thee.  If  thou  say, 
in  thy  heart,  My  Lord  delayeth  his  coming,  I  will 
come  in  an  hour  when  thou  art  not  aware,  and  cut 
thee  asunder,  and  appoint  thee  thy  portion  with  hy- 
pocrites and  unbelievers. 

Lord,  thou  seest  the  lie  so  many  workers  of  in- 
iquity hold  fast,  that  no  harm  shall  ever  happen  unto 
them  ;  that  thou  art  merciful  to  save  even  those  who 


196  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAX. 

die  in  their  sins.  Pull  down,  even  to  the  ground, 
this  strong-hold  of  thine  enemies.  May  none  cry 
to  themselves  peace  and  safety,  till  they  have  repent- 
ed,  and  obeyed  from  the  ground  of  the  heart,  walk- 
ing as  dear  children  of  God  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus. 
These  blessings  we  ask  ofihee,  holy  Father,  in  de- 
pendence upon  the  merits  and  intercession  of  Jesus 
Christ  the  righteous,  who  has  commanded  repentance 
and  remission  of  sins  to  be  preached  in  his  name  to 
every  creature.     Amen» 


SUNDAY  XXVI. 

CHAP.  XXVI. 

The  Tempers  of  a  Chilstian  towards  God,  and  the  Piinciples 

which  form  them. 

God,  in  himself  infinitely  excellent,  and  to  us 
perpetually  bountiful,  has  a  double  claim  to  rule  in 
our  hearts  without  a  rival.  Yet  we  naturally  neglect 
him,  and  find  all  our  pleasure  in  living  as  our  own 
masters.  And  it  is  owing  to  the  doctrines  of  the 
gospel  revealed  in  the  heart  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  that 
a  Christian  entirely  rencunccs  all  disaffection  to  his 
Maker,  and  gloiiiies  him  with  body,  soul,  and 
spirit. 

The  grace  of  God,  saith  the  scripture,  ^'  which 
bringeth  salvation,  haih  appeared  unto  all  men,  teach- 
ing them  (by  such  a  display  of  infinite  good- will)  to 
deny  ungodliness  ;''  no  more  to  insult  their  adorable 
Benefactor  by  rebellion,  or  dishonour  him  by  neg- 
lect. The  doctrines  of  grace  make  every  duty  ap- 
pear rational,  and  win  tlie  heart  to  the  practice  of 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN".  197 

universal  godliness.  Having,  therefore,  explained 
and  established  these  doctrines,  which  constitute  the 
divine  knowledge  peculiar  to  a  Christian,  I  proceed 
to  delineate  the  several  excellent  tempers  by  which 
lie  stands  distinguished  from  the  unbelieving,  and 
that  practice  which  shews  forth  the  praises  of  his 
God  and  Saviour,  who  hath  called  him  out  of  dark- 
ness into  marvellous  light. 

We  begin  w^th  those  tempers,  which  every  real 
Christian  exercises  towards  God. 

The  first  is  fear,  one  of  the  chief  springs  which 
govern  the  human  mind.  Some  suitable  object, 
therefore,  must  needs  engage  our  fear,  to  keep  us 
from  the  influence  of  imaginary  terrors,  or  of  things 
little  to  be  dreaded,  whilst  we  remain  duly  sensible 
to  impressions  from  what  is  of  greatest' moment. 
In  this  excellent  manner,  fear  is  regulated  in  the 
Christian's  breast.  Inferior  causes  and  temporal  evils, 
he  knows,  are  only  instruments  in  the  hands  of  God, 
subserving  his  will ;  therefore  he  sanctifxcs  the  Lord 
God  in  his  heart.  "  He  is  his  fear  and  his  dread." 
A  God  too  wise  to  mistake,  too  just  to  do  wrong,  too 
mighty  to  be  resisted,  and  too  good  to  be  known, 
without  adoration  of  his  name,  and  self-abasement 
before  him.  The  fear  of  a  Christian  produces  no 
uneasy  feeling  respecting  God ;  it  is  the  fear  of  a 
creature  towards  a  merciful  Creator  ;  of  a  sinner  re- 
deemed by  the  richest  act  of  love,  and  of  a  child 
to  vards  an  aflfectionate  father.  In  the  same  propor- 
tion, therefore,  as  he  increases  in  the  knowledge,  he 
increases  in  the  fear  of  God,  for  they  are  insepara- 
ble from  each  other.  So  inseparable,' that  the  inhab^ 
itants  of  Heaven  cry  out,  ''  Great  and  marvellous 
are  thy  works.  Lord  God  Almighty,  just  and  true 
are  thy  ways,  O  King  of  Saints  !  Who  shall  not 
fear  thee,  O  Lord,  and  glorify  thy  name  ?"  It  is  in 
general  a  noble,  ingenuous  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  his 


I99i  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

goodness,  which  rules  a  Christian.  But  as  he  is 
encompassed  with  alkirements  to  bribe,  with  foes 
to  intimidate,  and  sensible  objects'  which  make  a 
forcible  impression,  it  is  necessary,  "  in  seasons  of 
violent  temptation,"  to  call  to  remembrance  the 
V/rath  revealed  from  heaven  against  all  the  ungodli- 
ness and  unrighteousness  of  men. 

This  fear  produces,  in  every  real  Christian,  "  a 
readiness  to  obey  God  with  a  cheerful  mind,  and 
without  reserve."     He  beholds  his  Maker's  absolute 
dominion  over  him  founded  in  his  very  being.     Eve- 
ry faculty  of  his  soul,  and  member  of  his  body,  is 
given  at  first,  and  perpetually  preserved  by  the  act 
of  God  ;  consequently,  when  he  requires  doth  to  be 
employed  according  to  his  will,  he  does  but  appoint 
the  use  of  what  is  his  own  absolute  property.     Ever 
conscious  of  this  truth,  a  Christian  resolutely  regards 
the  authority  of  God,  in  a  world  which  despises 
it ;  and  uniformly  persists  to  obey  his  commands, 
though  natural  corruption,    worldly    interest,    and 
the  terror  of  custom,  continually   oppose.     In  his 
judgment,  the  command  of  God  alone  constitutes 
a  practice  perfectly  reasonable,  and  absolutely  neces- 
sary.    Yet,  conscious  of  his  pronencss  to  yield  to 
sin,  and  prevaricate  in  his  obedience,  he  calls  upon 
his  God.     '^  O  teach  me  thy  statutes  :  set  my  heart 
at  liberty,  that  I  may  run  the  way  of  thy  command- 
jnents.     O  save  me,  for  I  seek  thy  commandments." 
And  if,  by  surprise   or  violent  temptation,  he  fall 
into  sin,  shame  and  pungent  grief  succeed  his  trans- 
r^ression ;  and,  like  a  man  oppressed   with  bodily 
disease,   he  groans,  being  burdened  with  misery  on 
account  of  his  vileness,  and  longs  to  have  his  back- 
glidings  healed. 

He  cannot  but  be  thus  affected,  because  grati- 
tilde  to  God  is  an  essential  part  of  a  Christian's  tem- 
per.    His  food  by  day,  his  sleep  by  night,  his  rai- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  15.a 

ment,  health,  strength,  and  safety  (rich  blessings, 
though  rarely  noticed,  ^nd  received  with  thankful- 
ness) make  suitable  impressions  on  his  mind.  He 
says  to  himself,  there  is  an  eagerness  to  embrace 
the  first  opportunity  of  convincing  our  aftectionate 
friends  we  are  sensible  of  their  kindnesses  :  and  all 
are  ready  to  brand  the  ingrate,  who  utterly  forgets 
his  liberal  patron.  And  where  obligation  is  the  great- 
est, shall  gratitude  be  set  at  nought  ?  Shall  I  treat 
my  supreme  benefactor  with  contempt  ?  How  in- 
excusably base  would  this  be,  were  I  indebted  to 
him  only  for  the  comforts  of  this  hfe  ?  But  my 
debt  is  beyond  all  that  can  be  reckoned  up.  He 
might  justly  have  cut  me  oft^n  my  sins,  or  left  me 
in  the  delusions  of  pride,  and  unbelief  of  mv  heart : 
but  he  hath  forgiven  all  my  oft'ences,  covered  all 
my  sin,  conquered  my  haughty  spirit,  and  created 
me  again  after  his  own  image.  1  am  able  to  com- 
prehend, with  all  saints,  the  length  and  breadth,  the 
height  and  depth  of  the  love  of  Christ ;  and  I  know 
what  reproach  and  misery  the  Lord  of  life  and 
glory  bore  to  save  my  soul.  On  one  hand,  I  see 
the  fathomless  abyss  of  woe,  from  which  he  preserv- 
ed me  ;  on  the  other,  the  exceeding  eternal  weight 
of  glory  ready  to  be  revealed  in  me.  Whilst  1  med- 
itate upon  these  things,  assured  of  their  certainty,  I 
say,  even  the  stones  of  the  street  might  well  cry' out 
against  me,  if  I  was  not  fired  with  gratitude  to  make 
some  becoming  return  ;  1  am  glad  to  confess  no 
slave  so  absolutely  the  property  of  his  master  by 
purchase,  as  I  am  Christ's  ;  nor  any  pensioner  on 
royal  bounty  so  obliged  to  honor  the  king  for  a  rich 
undeserved  provision,  as  1  am  to  love  and  please  my 
God,  both  with  soul  and  body,  which  are  his. 

Such,  it  is  evident  from  the  aposde's  declaration, 
are  the  feelings  of  a  Christian  ;  for  when  he  is  shew- 
ing what  influenced  him,   and  all  the  faithful,  to 


30QI  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

serve  the  Lord  with  such  eminent  zeal,  to  the  hazard 
of  their  lives,  he  says,  "  The  love  of  Christ  con- 
straineth  us  ;"  like  a  mighty  swelling  tide,  it  bears 
us  above  all  opposition,  carrying  forth  our  souls  in 
lively  acts  of  gratitude  towards  God. 

With  gratitude,  affiance  is  strictly  connected, 
for  when  we  know  our  benefactor  hath  bestowed 
upon  us  many  rich  favours,  we  are  then  able  to 
trust  in  his  goodness.  It  is  thus  the  sin  of  unbelief, 
so  sharply  upbraided  in  scripture,  so  dishonourable 
to  God,  so  sadly  perplexing  and  hurtful  to  the  soul, 
is  conquered  in  the  heart  of  a  Christian.  And 
though,  in  seasons  of  extreme  trouble  and  temptation, 
lie  may  be  sometimes  afraid,  he  can  say  with  truth, 
yet  will  1  put  my  trust  in  God.  A  Christian  can 
do  this,  because  many  exceeding  great  and  precious 
promises  are  given  to  him  for  this  very  purpose, 
that  his  faith  and  hope  may  be  in  God.  He  cannot 
open  the  scripture  without  meeting  with  animating 
descriptions  of  the  Lord  God  Omnipotent,  as  full  of 
compassion,  abundant  in  mercy,  forgiving  iniquity, 
transgression,  and  sin. 

Besides,  he  knows  the  love  wherewith  God  hath 
loved  him.  He  hath  promised  (saith  a  Christian) 
to  bring  every  one  to  glory,  who  believes  in  the 
name  of  his  only  begotten  Son,  and  confirmed  the 
inestimable  promise  by  covenant  and  oath.  It  would 
be  the  height  of  presumption  in  me  to  expect  what 
God  has  no  where  engaged  himself  to  bestow  ;  but 
after  he  hath  given  such  exceeding  great  and  pre- 
cious promises  and  is  able  to  do  exceedingly  above 
all  that  I  can  ask  or  think,  it  would  be  casting 
reproach  upon  his  faithfulness  and  bounty,  to  har- 
bour fears  and  suspicions  of  his  good- will  towards 
me. 

But  though  a  Christian  first  trusts  in  the  Lord, 
and  stays  himself  upon  his  God  from  faith  in  the 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  HQi 

promises,  yet,  after  growth  in  grace,  his  experience 
strongly  confirms  his  trust ;  because  all  that  help, 
protection,  and  comfort,  which  the  promises  encou- 
raged him  to  expect,  he  has  now,  in  many  instances, 
seen  accomplished.  A  vast  variety  of  temptations, 
dangers,  and  enemies,  try  the  word  of  the  Lord  to 
the  uttermost,  whether  there  be  any  deceit  in  it. 
But  the  experiment,  though  ever  so  often  repeated, 
only  enhances  its  value.  The  mortification  of  my 
vile  affections  (says  the  Christian),  my  deliverance 
from  deceit  and  violence,  both  used  to  destroy  my 
soul ;  my  pleasures  and  consolations  in  the  service 
of  Christ  exactly  correspond  with  the  account  given 
of  these  things  in  the  word  of  God.  From  this  com- 
plete evidence,  therefore,  he  sees  it  is  good  for  him 
to  put  his  trust  in  the  Lord  God.  And  though  the 
workings  of  unbelief  are  very  far  from  being  utterly 
extinct,  they  are  always  lamented,  resisted,  and  at 
length  put  to  flight.  He  rises  superior  to  every 
trial,  when  he  is  enabled,  through  much  prayer,  and 
confession  of  his  own  evil  heart  of  unbelief  to  re- 
ceive that  comprehensive  word  of  promise ;  *'  All 
things  shall  work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love 
God."  Afflictions,  he  says,  though  sharp  and  long 
continued ;  injuries  most  maliciously  designed  or 
whatever  way  sufferings  come  upon  me,  they  are  not 
the  scourge  of  an  enemy,  or  the  wound  of  a  cruel 
one,  nor  do  they  come  by  chance  ;  they  are  sent  to  do 
me  p:ood.  This  is  all  the  fruit,  to  take  away  sin ; 
he  afflicts  for  my  profit,  to  make  me  partaker  of  his 
holiness.  Therefore  will  I  patiently  wait,  and 
quitely  hope,  for  the  expected  end. 

Thus  the  Christian,  by  passive  obedience  to  the 
will  of  God,  honours  him  in  the  midst  of  all  his 
troubles ;  he  honours  him  no  less  "  by  doing  all 
things  to  the  glory  of  God.''  Glory  is  the  shining 
forth  of  some  excellency.     We   give  it  to  men, 

s  B 


202-  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

when,  with  high  esteem  and  cordial  regard,  we  speak 
of  their  worth,  and  the  good  which  the  world  hath 
received  from  them.  The  Christian  has  a  single 
intention,  in  this  manner,  to  glorify  God.  He 
would  convince  all,  by  his  whole  life  and  conversa- 
tion, that  he  engages  in  his  service  on  account  of 
his  goodness,  wisdom,  holiness,  and  sovereign  do- 
minion, which  all  appear  to  him  in  the  most  amiable 
light.  False  motives,  which  form  many  shining 
characters,  have  no  influence  in  his  heart.  Fear  of 
shame,  or  loss,  do  not  restrain  him  from  evil ;  nor 
love  of  praise,  or  self-applause,  excite  him  to  do 
well ;  but  sense  of  duty,  and  regard  to  his  Maker's 
honour.  He  offers  up  all  his  social  virtues,  as  he 
does  his  devotion,  with  a  pure  desire  that  God  may 
be  better  served  by  himself,  and  all  around  him. 
The  usefulness  of  actions  to  society,  is  all  the  world 
regards.  To  them  the  end  and  design  for  which 
they  are  done,  is  nothing,  A  Christian,  on  the  con- 
trary, knows  the  temper  of  the  mind  stamps  the 
value  of  the  action,  and  above  every  thing  the  res- 
pect it  has  to  God.  When  he  discharges,  therefore, 
the  duty  of  his  particular  station  (be  it  that  of  a 
master,  husband,  or  father,  a  s  n,  a  servant,  or 
tradesman,  a  magistrate,  or  pastor),  he  would  have 
all  understand,  he  is  conscientious  in  his  practice, 
not  to  be  highly  esteemed  and  commended,  but 
because  he  knows  ail  God's  precepts  concerning  all 
things  to  be  right,  and  is  persuaded  he  hath  given 
us  a  law,  in  all  these  respects,  which  ought  not  to 
be  broken.  It  is  this  heaven -born  intention  which 
consecrates  his  whole  behaviour,  and  makes  it  truly 
religious. 

Inseparable  from  this  constant  intention  of  giving 
honour  to  God  in  the  eyes  of  men,  \i,  purity  of  heart, 
A  Christian  prevents  sin  from  conceiving,  by  resist- 
ing its  first  appearance  in  the  soul.     Though  he 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  to^ 

cannot  root  out  the  corruption  of  nature,  nor  totally 
suppress  the  rising  of  evil  thoughts  or  sensations, 
he  is  uneasy  when  he  feels  them,  as  kin^s  are  at  the 
rising  up  of  rebellion  in  their  realm.  He  entreats 
his  God  to  send  him  immediate  help,  and  expel  his 
enemies.  What  was  at  first  an  involuntary  motion 
within  (sad  indication  of  his  fall  from  original  righte- 
ousness), he  will  not  buffer  to  grow  exceeding  sinful 
by  cherishing  it ;  because  this  would  be  a  plain 
proof  of  love  for  sin,  though  selfish  motives  might 
restrain  from  the  commission  of  it. 

This  excellent  temper  of  a  Christian  must  be 
more  particularly  explained.  Observe  him  in  the 
flower  and  prime  of  lite  ;  he  not  only  avoids  the 
brothel  and  harlot,  he  is  offended  at  foolish  jesting, 
at  the  impure  lustings  of  his  heart,  and  the  wanton 
pictures  a  corrupt  imagination  would  be  drawing 
before  his  eyes,  [n  business,  he  does  much  more 
than  use  a  just  weight  and  measure  :  he  resists  the 
love  of  money  and  inordinate  gain.  In  his  behav- 
iour towards  competitors  and  enemies,  he  does  much 
more  than  abstain  from  slander  aud  railing ;  he  con- 
demns and  resists  silent  envy,  secret  animosity,  and 
injurious  surmises,  as  the  offspring  of  base  selfish- 
ness. He  appears  guilty  of  revenge  and  malice  in 
his  own  eyes,  when  he  detects  himself  listening 
with  satisfaction  to  those  who  speak  evil  of  his  foes, 
though  the  evil  be  true.  To  mention  no  more  in- 
stances, the  Christian  is  not  only  careful  to  avoid 
setting  off  his  own  accomplishments,  which  good 
sense  and  good  manm  rs  teach  ;  but  he  maintains  a 
steadfast  opposition  to  self  applause  and  self-admira- 
tion, not  ceasing  till  he  hath  put  to  flight  these  grand 
op  posers  of  the  glory  of  God,  the  giver  of  every  good 
and  perfect  gift.  In  each  of  these  instances,  and 
more  which  might  be  named,  a  Christian  honours  his 
Maker,  as  searcher  of  the  heart,  and  Lord  of  con- 


2DA  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

science  ;  before  whom  the  fervent  desire  of  his  soul 
continually  ascends  in  this  prayer,  "  Search  me,  O 
God,  and  know  my  heart,  try  me,  and  know  my 
thoughts  ;  ste  if  there  be  any  wicked  way  in  me,  and 
lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting." 


SUNDAY  XXVII. 

CHAP.  XXVII. 

On  the  Tempers  of  a  Christian  towards  God. 

C  ARE  to  imitate  the  example  which  he  left  us^ 
when  he  was  manifest  in  the  flesh,  is  a  prnicipal  part 
of  a  Christian's  temper.  He  watches,  prays,  and 
labours  with  success,  to  have  implanted  in  his  soul 
mercv,  forbearance,  love  of  righteousness,  and  hatred 
of  iniquity.  These  excellencies  in  Jesus  Christ, 
without  measure,  he  contemplates  ;  upon  this  all- 
perfect  pattern  his  eyes  are  fixed,  as  a  limner's  on 
an  invaluable  original,  which  he  copies  ;  and,  by  per- 
severing attention,  its  transforming  efiicacy  is  felt  in 
his  soul. 

But  granting  mere  character,  though  bright  as  an 
angel's,  is  too  refined  to  produce  imitation,  a  Chris- 
tian has  the  express  command  of  his  Lord,  whom  he 
loves  to  obey,  enjoining  him  to  tread  in  his  steps. 
**  Ye  call  me  master  and  Lord,  and  ye  say  well,  for 
so  I  am.  If  I  then,  your  Lord  and  Master,  have 
w^ashed  your  feet,  ye  ought  also  to  wash  one  ano- 
ther's feet.  For  1  have  given  you  an  example,  that 
ye  should  do  as  I  have  done  to  you,"  John  xiii. 

This  iiij unction  has  a  strong  tendency  to  make 
every  temper,  contrary  to  the  mind  that  was   in 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  20.5 

Christ,  appear  to  a  believer  deformed,  and  very  crim- 
inal. He  sees  the  mean  hypocrisy  of  professing  to 
be  a  follower  of  Christ,  without  conformity  to  his 
image  ;  a  conformity  which  manifests  itself  by  a 
measure  of  every  grace  which  shone  in  his  life  ;  and 
in  hatred,  not  of  one  evil  temper  or  another,  but  of 
the  whole  body  of  sin.  Though  some  may  repre- 
sent this  as  carrying  the  holiness  of  a  Christian  to  an 
unwarrantable  height,  we  have  authority  incontesta- 
ble to  affirm,  that  every  living  member  of  Christ's 
church  must  shine  in  a  real  resemblance  of  his  moral 
excellency.  We  all  beholding  as  in  a  glass  (in  die 
person  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ)  the  glory  of  the 
Lord,  are  changed  into  his  image  from  giory  to  glo- 
ry, even  as  by  the  Spirit  of  our  God-  And  this 
imitation  of  Christ  becomes  easy,  from  the  love 
a  Christian  bears  towards  him  :  for  we  copy  with 
pleasure  the  manners  of  the  person  we  admire ;  es- 
pecially if,  added  to  his  excellencies,  his  generosity 
to  us  has  been  striking  and  most  beneficial.  This 
is  the  case  between  creatures,  whose  richest  favours 
are  but  a  small  value,  and  amongst  whom  the 
brightest  characters  are  very  imperfect.  How  much 
more  powerfully  must  a  Christian's  heart  be  affected 
in  pondering  the  riches  of  the  Saviour's  love,  and  his 
unspeakable  kindness  !  He  is  drawn  by  a  secret  at- 
traction to  imitate  his  character,  who  is  his  peace  and 
hope,  his  life,  and  God,  and  all. 

Such  love  does  more  than  excite  to  imitation  ;  it 
creates  love  to  God,  and  supreme  delight  in  him. 
Man,  sunk  under  bodily  appetites,  understands  not 
that  God  can  be  a  richer  source  of  present  joy,  than 
money,  grandeur,  sensuality,  or  even  the  sciences. 
Hence,  expressions  of  supreme  love  to  him,  though 
unsullied  by  enthusiasm,  fall  under  censure  with  the 
world.  They  will  have  it,  that  such  expressions, 
though   they  abound  in    scripture,    are   without   a 


206  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN*. 

meaning.  And  what  we  call  warmth  of  affection 
towards  God  is  all  ascribed  to  temperature  of  body, 
quicker  circulation  of  the  blood,  or  the  power  of 
imagination. 

A  Christian  on  the  contrary,  loves  the  invisible 
and  eternal  God  as  really  as  covetous  men  love  their 
money,  the  voluptuous  their  gross  delights,  or  pa- 
rents their  offspring.  He  loves  him,  because  his 
name  is  all  excellent,  and  his  goodness  eclipses,  at 
once,  all  that  is  praised  amongst  men.  Almighty 
power  manifest  in  his  works,  unerring  wisdom,  un- 
blemished truth,  tender  mercy,  holiness  which  can- 
not bear  with  evil  ;  in  short,  tvery  thing  fitted  to 
raise  the  admiration  of  an  intelligent  being  is  united 
in  God,  and  made  palpable  by  his  revelation  of  him- 
self in  Christ  Jesus.  From  these  views  a  Christian 
is  won  to  love  God,  and  express  his  love,  by  enter- 
taining high  and  adoring  thoughts  of  him  ;  by  medi- 
tating on  him  with  pleasure. 

This  love  of  God  for  his  own  perfections,  though 
not  commonly  discerned  in  a  Christian  at  first,  yet, 
as  he  grows  in  knowledge  and  faith,  becomes  indis- 
putable. It  has  a  strong  influence,  even  whilst  he 
doubts  whether  he  shall  be  saved ;  because  he  will  still 
esteem  and  speak  good  of  his  name  :  he  will  constant- 
ly and  zealously  maintain  his  truth,  and  commend 
his  precepts,  be  faithful  in  his  service,  and  prize 
nothing  so  much  as  his  favour. 

Besides  the  incomparable  excellency  of  God,  a 
Christian  has  other  motives  to  love  him  ;  for  the 
more  benefit  we  derive  from  any  person  excellent  in 
himself,  the  more  life  we  feel  in  our  affections  to- 
wards him.  Rut  the  chief  good  to  a  Christian  is  his 
God  ;  all  beneath  him  is  mean,  transitory,  dissatis- 
fying. But  his  glory  shining  into  the  mind,  and  his 
peace  enjoyed,  make  him  cry  out,  ''  Whom  have  I 
in  heaven  but  thee  ?  And  there  is  none  upon  earth  I 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  rjs^r, 

desire  besides  thee."  He  cannot  be  happy  whilst  a 
cloud  remains  upon  his  mind,  and  prevents  his  fel- 
lowship with  the  Father  and  with  the  Son.  The 
vehement  desires  of  his  soul  he  expresses  in  such 
requests  as  these  :  "■  Cast  me  not  away  from  thy  pre- 
sence, and  take  not  thy  Holy  Spirit  from  me.  Re- 
store unto  me  the  joy  of  thy  salvation,  and  uphold 
me  with  thy  free  Spirit."  And  when  he  can  call 
God  his  God,  it  anmiates  and  gives  him  joy,  more 
than  all  riches  ;  it  satisfies  him  in  the  midst  of  trou- 
ble. Under  false  accusations  and  reproach,  he  finds 
comfort  in  the  thought,  that  his  best  friend  can  never 
be  deceived,  but  will,  in  due  time,  make  his  inno- 
cency  shine  forth.  In  afflictions,  distresses,  and  nc- 
cessities,  it  is  his  strong  support,  that  the  Lord 
knoweth  his  path ;  and  when  he  is  tried,  he  shall 
come  forth  as  gold.  In  national  calamities,  which 
spread  consternation  on  every  side,  a  Christian  finds 
a  place  of  refuge,  and  a  never- failing  spring  of  peace, 
so  as  to  possess  his  soul  in  patience,  knowing  he 
hath  a  treasure  above  the  reach  of  all  that  annoys 
and  terrifies  the  children  of  men. 

Such  illustrious  proofs  of  love  to  God,  and  the 
all-sufficient  comfort  it  affords,  we  find  on  record, 
even  before  the  kingdom  of  Heaven  was  preached! 
This  more  full  display,  therefore,  of  divine  love  to 
men  must  certainly  be  equal  to  such  a  blessed  effect. 
Habakkuk,  strong  in  faith,  could  say,  "  Although 
the  fig-tree  shall  not  blossom,  neither  shall  fruit  be 
in  the  vine  ;  the  labour  of  the  olives  shall  fail,  and 
the  fields  shall  yield  no  meat ;  the  flocks  shall  be  cut 
off  from  the  field,  and  there  shall  be  no  herd  in  the 
stall :  yet  I  will  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  I  will  jov  in  the 
God  of  my  salvation."  Could  a  man  of  like  pas- 
sions with  ourselves  experience  such  full  consolation 
from  the  love  of  God,  under  the  comparative  dim- 
ness of  the  Jewish  dispensation?     Certainly,  now 


2.08  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

the  day-spring  from  on  high  has  visited  us,  the  love 
of  God  will  enable  a  Christian  to  feel  as  high  de« 
light  in  him.  And  if  we  see  very  few  experience 
any  thing  comparable  to  this,  yet  the  desire  of  all 
who  are  Christians  in  truth  is  to  do  so.  They  prove 
this,  by  condemning  and  opposing  the  first  tendency 
in  themselves  to  impatience,  though  in  great  tribula- 
tion. They  lament  the  weakness  of  their  faith,  say- 
ing "  Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul  ?  And 
why  art  thou  so  disquieted  within  me  ?  Hope  thou 
in  God  :  for  I  will  yet  praise  him  for  the  help  of  his 
countenance." 

Whether,  therefore,  the  Christian  be  weak  or 
strong,  it  is  apparent  that  his  love  is  set  upon  God, 
When  he  rejoices  in  pain  and  tribulation,  then  his 
love  to  God  flames  forth  with  astonishing  brightness. 
When  he  grieves  that  he  cannot  find  his  heart  thus 
honour  him,  it  is  as  sure  a  proof  of  supreme  love  ; 
because,  otherwise,  he  could  not  possibly  feel  grief 
and  shame  for  want  of  joy  in  the  Lord  at  such  a  sea- 
son. To  natural  men,  it  is  a  thing  unintelligible. 
The  utmost  they  suppose  man's  fortitude  of  mind 
can  reach,  is  to  bear  with  calmness,  as  our  lot,  the 
pains  and  troubles  we  meet  with.  A  Christian's 
desire,  therefore,  to  be  strengthened  with  all  might, 
according  to  God's  glorious  power,  unto  all  patience 
and  long-suffering  with  joy  fulness,  from  the  know- 
ledge of  what  God  is  to  him,  and  has  done  for  him, 
is  a  demonstration  that  he  loves  and  delights  in  God. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  209 

SUNDAY  XXVIII. 

CHAP.  XXVIII. 
On  the  Tempers  of  a  Christian  towards  God. 

It  is  a  temper  peculiar  to  a  Christian  to  use,  with 
diligence  and  pleasure,  the  appointed  means  of 
growth  in  knowledge,  faith,  love,  and  every  grace. 
Naturally,  we  have  a  strong  aversion  to  these  means. 
Confession  of  bin,  prayer  to  God,  study  of  his  word, 
worship  of  him  in  public,  and  receiving  the  sacra- 
ment, are  very  dull,  heavy,  and  irksome,  till  we  love 
God.  These  things  we  may  do  in  a  slovenly  manner 
from  tradition,  and  blind  imitation  of  our  fathers,  or 
be  dragged  to  them  to  pacify  conscience,  or,  from 
the  leaven  of  the  Pharisees  working  in  us,  labour 
stoutly  to  gratify  our  self-exalting  pride.  Hence, 
the  whole  devotion  of  the  multitude  is  comprehend- 
ed m  a  few  minutes  morning  and  evening,  and  a  cus- 
tomary attendance  at  church  on  Sundays,  where 
much  observation  is  made  on  what  passes  without, 
little  attention  paid  to  the  inward  man  of  the  heart, 
and  no  more  consciousness  of  pleasure  is  felt  in  the 
whole,  than  a  child  feels  in  repeating  words  by  rote. 
How  different  the  temper  of  a  Christian !  Know- 
ing the  sinfulness  of  his  past  life,  when  all  the  imagin- 
ations of  the  thoughts  of  his  heart  were  evil  only,  and 
that  continually,  and  feeling  so  much  disorder  and 
depravity  still  remaining,  it  is  a  relief  to  his  soul  to 
pour  out  complaints  against  himself,  prostrate  with 
holy  shame  before  the  greatness  of  eternal  Majesty, 
to  whom,  notwithstanding  all  his  vileness,  he  is  infi- 
nitely dear.  Then  are  opened  the  springs  of  ingenu- 
«us  sorrow,  then  the  most  pure  and  solid  satisfaction 

G  c 


210  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

is  felt  within,  in  giving  glory  to  the  holiness  of  God. 
The  Christian  has  also   much  pleasure  in   making 
known  his  requests  to  God  b)  prayer :  because  he 
earnestly  desires  spiritual  blessings  and  graces,  and 
is  certain  that  every  good  and  perfect  gift  sha*!  be 
given  liberally  to  them  who  ask  in  faidi.     As  hunger 
and  thirst,  therefore,  seek  their  proper  gratification, 
and  the  desire  of  every  thing  living  is  turned  to  what 
it  apprehends  will  do  it  good,  so  the  hunger  and 
thirst  of  a  Christian  is  to  receive  the  supplies  which 
can  enrich  his  soul.     Far,  therefore,  from  thinking 
prayer  a  burden,  or  performing  it  merely  as  a  duty, 
the  Christian  is  always  praying,  unless  some  diffi- 
cult business  engross  his  attention.     All  places  can 
bear  witness  to  his  devout  aspirations.     No  sooner 
does  sleep  depart  from  him  on  his  bed,  then  he  is 
awake  to  the  most  sublime  sensations :   *'  With  my 
soul,  O  God,  have  I  desired  thee  in  the  night,  yea, 
with  my  spirit  within  me  will  1  seek  thee  early." 
From  the  same  love  to  God,  naturally  arises  joy  in 
extolling  the  name  of  such  an  almighty   friend.     It 
becometh  well,  says  a  Christian,  the  just  to  be  thank- 
ful.    ''  Praise  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  all  that  is 
within  me,  praise  his  holy  name :  for  he  hath  deliv- 
ered my  soul  from  death,  my  eyes  from  tears,  and 
my  feet  from  falling.     My  mouth  is  filled  as  it  were 
with  marrow  and  fatness,  whilst  1  am  praising  thee 
with  joyful  lips."     This  spiritual  pleasure  is  as  de- 
licious to  me,  as  the  glutton's  feast  is  to  his  palate, 
when  swallowing  the  richest  dainties. 

Every  thing  which  belongs  to  God,  and  is  intend- 
ed to  manifest  his  excellencies  and  will,  are  delight- 
ful to  a  Christian.  His  word,  his  day,  his  house,  and 
his  servants  in  the  ministry,  and  the  memorial  of  his 
abundant  goodness  and  dying  love,  are  highly  esteem- 
ed, and  the  use  of  them  much  enjoyed.  '*  How  I 
love  thy  law !  it  is  my  meditation  all  the  day.    One 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  211 

day  in  thy  courts  is  better  than  a  thousand.  I  had 
rather  be  a  door-keeper  in  the  house  of  my  God, 
tlian  dwell  in  the  tents  of  ungodliness.''  How  bene- 
licial  to  the  souls  of  men  their  preachin.?;,  who  bring 
glad  tidings,  who  publish  salvation,  who  are  given 
by  the  risen  and  ascended  Saviour,  for  the  work 
of  the  ministry  in  the  conversion  of  dinners,  for  the 
perfecting  of  the  saints,  for  the  edifying  of  the  body 
of  Christ,  which  is  the  church.  And  how  affecting 
and  tender,  how  gracious  and  benevolent,  the  com- 
mand given  by  Jesus  to  his  children,  to  make  his 
sacrifice  more  precious  to  them,  that,  with  dt-ep 
humility,  gratitude,  and  joy,  they  should  eat  of  that 
bread,  and  drink  of  that  cup,  as  a  publick  testimony 
that  every  blessing  they  receive  from  God,  and  every 
good  they  expect,  descends  to  them  only  through  the 
blood  and  righteousness  of  God  our  Saviour.  Eve- 
ry one  of  these  institutions  I  revere  and  observe,  to 
my  edification  and  great  comfort.  And  though  it 
must  be  confessed,  the  most  lively  and  devoted  Chris- 
tians too  often  feel  no  delight  in  holy  duties,  yet  this 
is  lamented  and  felt  as  a  burden.  God  is  ahvays  the 
object  of  their  reverence  and  crust,  gratitude  and  love. 
Whether,  in  solemn  acts  of  devotion,  their  pleasures 
rise  or  fall,  they  punctually  offer  up  prayers  and 
praises,  never  weary  of  God  or  duty,  though  more 
and  more  so  of  that  body  of  death,  which  so  sorely 
hinders  and  oppresses  them,  when  they  would  be  all 
self-abasement,  faith,  love,  and  zeal,  in  approaching 
the  throne  of  grace. 

But  this  glaring  proof  of  inbred  sin,  which  a  Chris- 
tian laments,  tends  to  increase  another  excellent  tem- 
per in  him,  humility.  By  humility,  1  do  not  mean 
his  entertaining  a  worse  opinion  of  himself,  or  abasing 
himself  lower  than  he  really  ought  to  do,  but  a  just 
sense  of  his  weakness,  corruption,  and  sinfutnt  ss  in 
the  sight  of  God.     Men  shamefully  dissemble  hcre> 


^12  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

if  not  openly  contradict  their  Maker ;  for  though 
they  confess  some  fauhs,  they  fancy  they  have  more 
good  qualities,  and  over- rate  what  they  own  a  gift 
from  Heaven,  because  it  belongs  to  themselves. 
They  will  not  allow,  tliat  after  all  they  have  done  and 
received,  each  has  nothing  to  say  for  himself,  but 
^*  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner,"  through  the 
atonement.  But  a  Christian  knows  his  poverty  and 
guilt,  in  his  best  estate  on  this  side  glory.  As  a 
scholar,  who  hath  reached  into  the  depth  of  science, 
sees  much  more  of  his  own  ignorance  than  when  he 
began ;  so,  the  more  the  Christian  advances  in  the 
knowledge  of  God,  himself,  and  his  duty,  he  be- 
comes sensible  of  many  and  great  defects  which  be- 
fore escaped  his  notice,  and  sees  himself  at  more 
distance  from  perfection  than  ever.  The  law  of  God, 
says  he,  I  know,  requires  a  perfect  regularity  of  tem- 
per, and  perfect  rectitude  in  every  motion  of  the  heart 
under  all  temptations  ;  that  not  so  much  as  the  least 
taint  of  sin  should  come  upon  my  mind,  no  wander- 
ing in  prayer,  no  defect  in  active  zeal  to  do  good  by 
every  talent  and  power,  no  warping  of  my  affections 
from  God,  or  deviation  from  his  will  upon  any  ac- 
count. Seeing  the  line  of  duty  in  this  extent,  and 
acknowledging  that  in  *'  this  manner  God  ought  to 
be  honoured  and  obeyed  by  all  reasonable  creatures," 
his  innumerable  faults  glare  before  him  ;  and  whilst 
his  deportment  is  blameless,  nay,  exemplary  in  the 
sight  of  men,  he  feels  cause  to  implore  forgiveness 
of  his  trespasses,  and  to  cry  out,  "'  Behold,  I  am 
v'l\  Enter  not  into  judgment  with  thy  servant,  O 
Lord,  for  in  thy  sight  shall  no  man  living  be  jus- 
tified." 

Thus  is  the  Christian  taught  effectually  humility 
by  the  knowledge  of  God's  law,  and  not  less  by  the 
knowledge  of  the  gospel.  Have  my  sins  (says  he) 
gendered  me  so  guilty  in  the  eye  of  God,  that  it 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  313 

would  reflect  dishonor  upon  his  majesty  to  receive 
my  prayers,  or  shew  me  mercy,  but  in  considc  ration 
of  the  death  and  intercession  of  his  own  Son  ;  and 
can  I  in  this  state  regard  myself  as  any  ihu.p^  bv  tter 
than  a  sinner?  Shall  1  conceit  1  am  perfectly  free 
from  defilement,  when  I  am  not  permitted  so  much 
as  to  ask  pardon,  without  imploriig  the  mediation  of 
Christ  ^  Thus  deeply  laid  is  the  foundation  of  Chris- 
tian  humilit\ ,  a  grace  which  acts  as  un  antidote  to 
the  first  born  sin  of  man,  and  a  i^'uard  against  every 
delusion  of  Satan.  By  it  a  Christian  is  made  meet 
for  that  world,  where  God  is  all  in  all ;  where,  ever 
sensible  of  infinite  di^^tance  from  him,  though  en- 
dowed with  surpassing  excellencies,  angels  abase 
themselves  before  him,  and  cover  their  faces  vviih 
their  wings,  whilst  they  cry,  *'Holy,  holy,  hoiv  is 
the  Lord  God  Almighty." 

1  have  laid  bclore  you,  in  one  view,  the  chief  of 
those  excellent  tempers  respecting  God,  the  object 
and  end  of  all  duty,  which  dwell  in  every  real  Chris- 
tian. If  you,  who  read  these  pages,  are  utterly  i  Ins- 
titute of  any  one  of  the  tempers  above  dt^ciibc  d, 
call  not  yourself  a  Christian,  for  you  deceive  your- 
self with  an  empty  name.  It  is  true,  these  sevt  ral 
tempers  adorn  the  several  members  of  Chjjsrs 
church  in  different  degrees  ;  shining  forth  in  some 
with  brighter  lustre,  with  less  in  others,  as  stars  dif- 
fer from  each  other  in  glory.  Yet  the  joint  infiuc  nee 
of  all  is  as  essential  to  the  very  being  of  a  real  Chris- 
tian, as  every  member  of  the  body,  or  leading  facul- 
ties of  the  soul,  are  to  constitute  a  man  complete. 
With  as  much  propriety,  a  multilated  form,  or  mon- 
strous birth,  may  be  deemed  perfect,  because  it  has 
life,  as  a  soul,  void  of  one  of  these  tempers,  be  call- 
ed a  Christian.  For  what  greater  absurdity  can  you 
affirm  than  that  a  man  can  be  a  Christian  without  the 
fear  of  God,  or  unfeigned  submission  to  his  author- 


214  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

ity ;  a  Christian  without  gratitude  to  his  Maker,  or 
affiance  in  his  goodness,  a  Christian  without  love  to 
Christ,  without  piety,  without  humility  ?  Takeaway 
any  one  of  these  disposition,  and  you  rob  the  soul 
©f  that  which  must  express  the  spiritual  life  it  pos- 
sesses. 

Examine  therefore  yourselves,  whether  you  be  in 
the  faith  ;  prove  your  own  selves.  If  a  man  say  he 
hath  faith,  and  hath  no  works,  can  that  faith  save 
him  ?  You  may  leave  out,  or  put  what  you  please 
into  the  character  of  one  you  choose  to  call  a  Chris- 
tian. You  may  make  baptism  sufficient,  or  an  assent 
to  the  truth  of  scripture,  and  that  capital  doctrine 
in  it,  that  Jesus  is  the  Son  of  God,  the  Christ  who 
should  come  into  the  world,  and  on  this  ground  wor- 
ship among  Christians.  Nevertheless  the  unchange- 
able standard  is,  the  character  of  a  Christian  deline- 
ated in  the  word  of  God.  This  speaks  so  plainly, 
it  needs  no  comment.  It  speaks  to  men  of  every 
age  ;  it  makes  no  difference,  and  allows  of  no  abate- 
ment ;  it  peremptorily  affirms,  in  a  variety  of  ex- 
pressions, ad  importing  the  same  universal  change 
of  temper  respecting  God,  that  they  who  are 
Christ's  have  crucified  the  flesh,  with  the  affections 
and  lusts. 

This  alone  is  the  Christian  character,  though  it 
were  to  be  found  onlv  in  one  of  a  thousand,  in  one 
of  a  nation.  To  delude  ourselves  with  popular  no- 
tions which  reduce  the  Christian  character  to  a  re- 
ceiving certain  articles  of  faith,  and  a  regular  observ- 
ance of  some  religious  ceremonies,  is  the  sure  way 
to  confirm  infidels  in  contempt  of  the  gospel,  and 
sooth  men  in  their  ruinous  conceit,  that  the  form  of 
godliness  is  sufficient  without  the  power. 

As  you  desire,  therefore,  to  obtain  salvation,  and 
would  not  be  found  a  h}  pocritc  ni  the  great  day, 
take  good  heed  that  you  worship  God  in  spirit  and 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  215 

in  truth  ;  that  the  most  exact  observer  of  your  life 
and  tempers  shall  be  compt  lied  to  own,  that  all  the 
fruits  of  righteousness,  which  are  by  Jesus  Christ, 
prove,  and  strongly  recommend,  the  excellency  of 
your  faith  in  his  name. 


PRAYER, 

Suitec}  to  the  preceding  Subject. 

O  GOD,  Father  of  angels  and  men,  who  wast 
in  Christ  Jesus  reconciling  the  world  unto  thyself, 
give  us  grace,  we  beseech  thee,  to  serve  thee  ac- 
ceptably with  reverence  and  godly  fear,  that  we  may 
have  respect  to  all  thy  commandments.  Add,  O 
our  God,  to  all  the  multitude  of  mercies  we  have 
received,  this  great  one,  of  a  thankful  heart ;  pene- 
trate our  souls  with  a  sense  of  our  infinite  obligations 
to  thee.  Created,  preserved,  and  redeemed  by  thee, 
give  us  grace  to  present  ourselves,  our  souls,  and 
bodies,  a  living  sacrifice.  Save  us  from  an  evil  heart 
of  unbelief.  In  pressing  difficulties,  how  ready  are 
we  to  distrust  thy  goodness  !  How  hard  do  we  find 
it,  to  rely  upon  thy  word  and  thy  invisible  po  \er! 
We  have  often  given  thee  cause  to  complain  of  us, 
and  say,  How  long  is  it  ere  this  people  will  believe 
me  ?  May  we  receive  thy  promises  in  the  full  assur- 
ance of  faith,  and  wait  the  accomplishment  of  them 
in  hope,  though  all  things  seem  to  go  contrary  to 
them. 

To  thy  rich  bounty,  O  our  God,  we  are  indebted 
for  all  our  talents  and  faculties,  which  exalt  us  above 
the  beasts  of  the  field ;  and  thou  hast  given  them  to 
us,  for  thy  own  glory.  May  we  diligently  use  them 
all  to  promote  that  great  end ;  to  spread  the  savour 
of  the  knowledge  of  thy  truth,  and  convince  all  men 
who  observe  our  life,  that  we  desire  God  in  all  things 


216  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

may  be  glorified.  Give  us  grace  to  honor,  thee  by 
hating  vain  thoughts,  by  never  suffering  that  to  lodge 
within,  which  we  dare  not  indulge.  May  we  have 
power  to  walk  in  this  world  as  Christ  walked  in  love 
to  thee,  in  victory  over  the  temptations  which  sur- 
round us,  in  the  enjoyment  of  thy  presence,  waiting 
till  we  come  to  the  spirits  of  the  just  made  perfect. 
Till  that  blessed  change  takes  place,  teach  us  dili- 
gently, and  with  delight,  to  use  every  means  which 
thou  hast  appointed  to  keep  the  remembrance  of  thee 
and  thy  benefits  fresh  upon  our  minds;  and,  sensible 
of  the  glory  of  thy  Majesty,  and  our  own  meanness, 
of  thy  spotless  purity,  and  our  great  and  manifold 
pollutions,  may  we  ever  walk  humbly  with  our  God, 
judging  ourselves  unworthy  to  lift  up  our  eyes  unto 
Heaven,  or  take  thy  name  within  our  lips,  though 
thou  humblest  thvself  to  dwell  with  men. 

In  this  manner  may  we,  day  by  day,  worship  thee, 
O  Lord  our  God,  in  the  beauty  of  holiness;  and 
may  every  thing  short  ol  such  substantial  goodness 
appear  to  us  no  better  than  empty  form.  Till  we 
finish  our  course,  be  thou  our  exceeding  joy;  that 
when  we  enter  eternity,  we  may  find  the  delight  of 
angels  and  glorified  saints,  the  very  happiness  we 
were  accustomed,  in  a  measure,  to  enjoy  before. 

We  beg  an  answer  to  these  our  requests  for  the 
sake  of  Jesus  Christ,  our  only  Mediator  and  Re- 
deemer. Amen. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  Sir 

SUNDAY  XXIX. 
CHAP.  XXIX. 

The  Tempers  of  a  Christian  towards  his  Fellow  creatures< 

1  HE  scripture  teaches  us,  that  God  has  made  all 
things  for  his  own  glory.  Yet,  far  from  requiring 
any  duty  from  us  detrimental  to  men,  it  is  impos- 
sible to  please  him  without  being  a  friend  to  human 
kind.  No  parent  ever  so  aftectionately  studied  the 
happiness  of  his  offspring,  or  took  so  much  pleasure 
in  their  harmony,  as  the  Father  of  our  spirits  iix 
seeing  us  all  obey  his  great  command,  of  loving  one 
another. 

Were  his  command  universally  obeyed,  the  church 
of  Christ  would  be  a  picture  of  Heaven,  a  perpetual 
circulation  of  mutual  good  will.  It  is,  alas  !  too 
true,  that  few  out  of  a  multitude  of  Christians  pro- 
fessed have  ever  been  subject  to  this  law  of  love. 
Nevertheless,  it  is  the  noble  peculiarity  of  a  real 
Christian  to  behave  towards  others  as  every  man 
living  would  wish  to  have  all  men  do  towards  him- 
self; and  to  stand  as  much  distinguished  by  ex- 
cellent  tempers  towards  men,  as  by  faith,  love,  and 
devotion  towards  God. 

These  excellent  tempers  I  shall  now  delineate, 
proving  every  real  Christian  must  be  an  invaluable 
blessing  to  society,  whilst  he  stands  forth  an  intrepid 
witness  for  the  peculiar  doctrines  of  the  everlasting 
gospel. 

May  the  God  of  the  Christians  make  this  repre- 
sentation of  their  duty  towards  men  effectual  to  con- 
vmce  the  reader,  that  if  he  wishes  well  to  mankind, 
their  good  can  never  be  so  much  promoted,  nor  so, 

s  B 


218  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

in  fa;:t,  secured  by  any  thing,  as  embracing  the  faith 
of  Christ. 

In  delineating  the  tempers  of  a  Christian,  I  shall 
begin  with  that  eminent  one,  sincerity.  As  a  Chris- 
tian, you  will  esteem  it  your  duty  constantly  to  speak 
the  truth  ;  to  give  no  commendations  where  you  do 
not  think  they  are  due  ;  to  flatter  no  one  as  possess- 
ing excellencies  he  hadi  not ;  nor  speak  as  if  you  re- 
garded them  with  peculiar  affection,  when  by  this 
you  only  mean  to  pay  court.  Though,  amongst 
the  refinements  of  the  polite,  and  in  the  commerce 
of  the  world,  this  be  a  requisite  accomplishment,  in 
fact  it  is  a  mean  and  detestable  dissimulation. 

Sincerity  in  your  conversation  will  be  attended 
with  equal  sincerity  respecting  all  your  promises 
and  engagements.     Besides  a  general  obligation  to 
speak  truth,   which  breach  of  promise  violates,  you 
■would  in  this  case  incur  additional  guilt ;   since, 
when  you  promised  to  do  a  good  office,  or  confer  a 
benefit,  immediately  in  the  court  of  conscience,  be- 
fore the  God  of  truth,  the  right  of  the  thing  promis- 
ed passes  from  you  to  the  receiver  of  it.  Wherefore, 
without  his  leave,  you  have  no  more  right  to  recal 
it  than  if  you  had  given  him  a  legal  bond ;  conse- 
quently you  will  esteem  yourself  obliged  to  perform 
your  word,  though  it  may  be  much  to  your  preju- 
dice,  in  every  instance  where   you   have  made  a 
])romise  ;  unless  some  specified  conditions  not  ful- 
filled, or  something  concealed,  vacates  its  obligation  : 
and  when  your  testimony  is  given  upon  oath,  laying 
aside  all  affection  or  prejudice,  and  unawed  by  the 
great,  you  will  represent  every  thing  as  it  has  fallen 
imder  your  notice.     In  these  important  and  similar 
instances,  you  v.'ill  be  sincere,  whilst  your  motives 
to  be  so  are  very  different  from  those  which  have 
weight  with  upright  moralists,  and  much  superior. 
He  may  be  an  advocate  for  sincerity,  because  it  is 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  219 

the  cement  of  society,  and  the  only  foundation  of 
mutual  confidence.  Feeble  motives,  alas  !  when  op- 
posed to  violent  selfishness,  under  temptations  to 
gain,  by  the  sacrifice  of  honesty  and  truth. 

The  glorious  God,  on  the  contrary,  is  your  en- 
couragement and  support,  O  Christian,  in  the  exer- 
cise of  this  temper.  Truth  is  what  he  commands, 
and  dehghts  in.  "  These  are  the  things  that  ye  shall 
do,"  saith  the  Lord  ;  "  Speak  ye  every  man  truth  to 
his  neighbour,"  Zech.  viii.  He  stigmatizes  the 
want  of  sincerity,  and  threatens  every  false  tongue 
with  endless  woe.  In  the  character  given  of  a  mem- 
ber of  Christ,  and  an  heir  of  glory,  you  are  assured 
he  hateth  lying,  Prov.  xv,  and  speaketh  the  truth  in 
his  heart,  Psal.  xv.  "  Lying  lips  are  an  abomination 
to  the  Lord,"  Prov.  xii.  "  A  mark  that  men  are  of 
their  father  the  devil,  and  the  lusts  of  their  father  they 
will  do,"  John  viii.  ''And  that  whosoever  loveth  and 
maketh  a  lie,  shall  be  cast  into  the  lake  which  burn- 
eth  with  fire  and  brimstone,"  Rev.  xxi. 

A  desire,  therefore,  to  please  God,  a  regard  to 
his  high  and  amiable  authority,  and  a  fear  of  incur- 
ring his  righteous  displeasure,  all  work  together,  so 
that  you  can  meet  with  no  evil  great  enough  to  deter, 
or  bribe  sufficient  to  make  you  violate  truth  and 
sincerity.  Add  to  this,  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  every 
true  believer  in  Christ  receives,  is  the  Spirit  of 
truth,  and  his  fruit  is  in  all  righteousness  and  truth  : 
it  is  not,  therefore,  possible  to  be  a  Christian,  and 
at  the  same  time  false  and  insincere,  for  the  sake  of 
your  own  paltry  interest  and  worldly  gain. 

If  your  conscience,  therefore,  accuses  you  in  this 
matter,  your  religion  is  vain.  Be  assured,  it  is  not 
making  many  prayers,  glorying  in  your  experience  ; 
it  is  not  extolling  free  grace,  or  affecting  to  cover 
yourself  with  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  or  any 
seal  you  may  express  for  his  honour,  that  will  ei- 


no  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

ther  excuse  or  screen  you  in  your  falsehood  and  in- 
sincerity.  On  the  contrary,  if  you  can  thus  abuse 
the  grace  of  God,  it  proves  your  idea  of  him  is  in- 
finitely despicable;  you  make  him  even  worse  than 
yourself,  a  God  pleased  with  \;'hat  kindles  resent- 
ment in  your  breast,  deceitful  fair  speeches,  and  de- 
signing flattery,  as  if,  tor  the  sake  of  such  nauseous 
compliments,  he  would  dispti.se  with  the  weighty 
matters  of  the  law.  Every  Christian  is  called  upon 
to  lay  this  matter  much  to  heart,  and  be  careful, 
above  all  things,  his  sincerity  be  put  beyond  a 
doubt ;  because  a  general  suspicion  is  entertained, 
and  too  much  cause  in  a  thousand  instances  has  been 
given  for  it,  that  religious  people,  of  all  others,  are 
not  to  be  trusted,  thinking  themselves  at  liberty 
to  deal  deceitfully  with  men,  whilst  they  profess  ex- 
traordinary fervours  of  devotion,  and  zeal  for  the 
honour  of  God  and  Christ ;  a  practice  mean  and  odi- 
ous to  the  last  degree;  a  rock  of  oflfence  to  all  the 
world ;  and  a  greater  hindrance,  than  any  other,  to 
the  progress  of  true  religion  in  it. 

With  the  love  and  practice  of  sincerity,  there  is 
joined,  in  every  real  Christian,  the  love  and  practice 
of  justice  too.  Has  the  providence  of  God  invested 
you  with  the  dignity  of  a  magistrate,  senator,  or 
judge  ?  you  will  see  that  the  poor  and  oppressed 
have  right,  and  punish  the  oppressor ;  you  will  be 
active  to  put  salutary  laws  in  execution,  to  establish 
and  promote  peace. 

Mindful  of  God,  the  high  ordainer  of  all  govern- 
ment, to  uhom  e\'ery  one  intrusted  with  any  part  of 
it  stands  accountable,  you  will  discharge  your  duty. 
*'  Ye  shall  do  no  unrighteousness,"  saith  the  Lord, 
"  in  judgment.  Thou  shalt  not  respect  the  person 
of  the  poor,  nor  honour  the  person  of  the  mighty, 
but  in  righteousness  shalt  thou  jndge  thy  neigh- 
bour,''    Lev.    xix.     **  He  that  ruletli  over  men" 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  5>2I 

^like  the  prince  of  peace,  whom  these  words  describe) 
"must  be  just,  ruling  in  the  lear  of  God,  and  he 
shall  be  as  the  light  of  the  morning,  when  the  sun 
riseth,  even  a  nnjrning  without  clouds,  as  the  tender 
grass  sprine^ins^  out  of  the  earth,  by  clear  shining  af- 
ter rain,"  2  Sam.  xxiii. 

Hive  you  immerous  dependents  ?  From  the  abun- 
dance of  your  wealth,  if  a  Christian,  you  will  be 
just  towards  them  all ;  you  \vill  scorn  to  extort  the 
utmost  your  estates  caii  produce,  till  honest  hus- 
bandmen groan  uider  the  load  of  rents  extravagant- 
ly advanced ;  you  will  abhor  the  custom  of  owing 
large  suins  of  money  for  furniture,  equipage,  apparel, 
or  the  table,  whilst  your  tradesmen  are  distressed  to 
pa\  their  creditors  for  what  you  have  pretejided  to 
buy  of  them,  but  never  paid  for  :  to  distress  them 
with  fear  of  bankruptcy,  if  you  refuse  to  discharge 
your  debts  to  them,  or  of  starving  through  your 
cruel  resentment,  if  they  attempt  to  recover  their 
right. 

The  sacred  rule  of  your  conduct  is,  Owe  no  mail 
any  thing  :  and  the  opposite  practice,  though  there 
be  no  remedy  against  it  for  tradesmen,  but  such  as 
they  are  most  unwilling  to  use,  is  marked  as  the  ob- 
ject of  God's  severe  displeasure.  "  Behold  the  hire 
of  the  labourers,  who  have  reaped  down  your 
fields,  which  is  of  you  kept  back  b\  fraud,  crieth ; 
and  the  cries  of  them  which  have  reaped,  are  entered 
into  the  ears  of  the  Lord  of  Sabaoth.  Ye  have  liv- 
ed in  pleasure  on  the  earth,  and  been  wanton.'-' 
The  application  of  this  alarming  word  to  those  who 
keep  their  tradesmen  an  unreasonable  time  out  of 
their  money,  is  direct,  and  must  make  efFecttial  im- 
pression on  all  who  fear  God. 

Are  you  occupied  in  trade  and  merchandise  ?  Here 
the  energy  of  your  Christian  faith  is  to  shine.  It  will 
not  sufier  the  love  of  monev  to  lav  waste  your  con^ 


222  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAK. 

science,  or  seduce  you  to  take  advantage  of  tlie  igno- 
rance or  distresses  of  those  you  deal  with  ;  to  put  off 
bad  for  good  commodities,  or  take  exorbitant  gain 
for  what  you  sell.  It  is  said,  with  great  assurance, 
no  man  can  live  thus  honestly  as  the  world  now  is. 
A  righteous  man,  dealing  with  conscience  amidst 
those  who  have  none,  is  a  sheep  among  wolves,  sure 
to  fall  a  prey ;  and  if  he  will  not  give  over  his  busi- 
ness, he  must  soon  lose  all  his  substance.  This 
reasoning  I  allow  is  plausible ;  and  very  difficult  it 
is  not  to  be  carried  away  w^ith  the  general  practice 
of  using  first  little  frauds,  till  grosser  succeed,  and 
give  no  pain,  and  till  the  acquisition  of  a  large  estate 
be  judged  man's  supreme  good,  and  a  scanty  in- 
come the  greatest  evil. 

Nevertheless,  every  real  Christian  must  be  a  truly 
honest  man ;  for  though,  before  the  truth  is  received, 
men  are  not  able  to  stem  the  torrent,  nor  face  a 
threatening  storm ;  afterwards,  no  room  is  left  for 
infidel  excuses,  constantly  urged  to  palliate  unjust 
dealings,  as  if  there  was  no  provision  for  this  life  in 
a  strict  observance  of  justice. 

The  Lord,  whose  is  the  earth  and  the  fulness 
thereof,  gives  you  his  own  inviolable  promise,  and 
pawns  his  honour  for  your  maintenance  and  pros- 
perity, if  you  will  deal  uprightly.  "  Thou  shalt  not 
have  in  thy  bags,*  says  he,  divers  weights,  a  great 
and  a  small,"  [the  one  to  buy,  the  other  to  sell 
with]  ;  '*  thou  shalt  not  have  in  thine  house  divers 
measures,  a  great  and  a  small ;  but  thou  shalt  have 
a  perfect  and  just  weight ,  a  perfect  and  just  mea- 
sure shalt  thou  ha\T,  that  thy  days  may  be  lengthen- 
ed in  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God  giveth  thee  ; 
for  all  that  do  such  things,  and  all  that  do  unrighte- 
ously, are  an  abomination  to  the  Lord  thy  God,'' 
Deut.  xxiii.  You  say,  iniquity  in  trade  is  almost 
universal ;  but  is  it  the  less  evil,  or  the  less  abhorred 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  IVIAN.  22^ 

of  God  on  that  account?  "  Are  there  yet  the  trea- 
sures of  wickedness  in  the  house  of  the  wicked,  and 
the  scant  measure  that  is  abominable?  Shall  I 
count  them  pure  with  the  wicked  balances,  and  with 
the  bag  of  deceitful  weights  ?  For  the  rich  men 
thereof  are  full  of  violence,  and  the  inhabitants  there- 
of have  spoken  lies,  and  their  tongue  is  deceitful  in 
their  mouth.  Therefore  also  will  I  make  thee  sick 
in  smiting  thee,  in  making  thee  desolate  because  of 
thy  sins,"   Micah  vi. 

If  it  be  said,  love  to  yourself  and  family  must 
gain  the  ascendent,  and  prevail  over  you  to  use  com- 
mon frauds,  I  answer,  this  temptation  will  be  with- 
stood from  a  clear  conviction  which  every  real  Chris- 
tian possesses,  that  he  and  his  family  become  ob- 
noxious to  God  by  presumptuous  offences.  "  The 
curse  of  God  is  in  the  house  of  the  wicked.  Woe 
unto  him  that  buildeth  his  house  with  unrighteous- 
ness. Be  not  deceived,  the  unrighteous  shall  not  in- 
herit the  kingdom  of  God." 

Besides,  the  Lord  who  redeemed  you,  and  from 
whose  grace  you  expect  eternal  life,  whose  eyes  is 
ever  upon  you,  strictly  requires,  ''  All  things  what- 
soever you  would  that  men  should  do  unto  you,  even 
so  do  unto  them ;  for  this  is  the  law  and  the  pro- 
phets." 

After  these  full  instructions,  clear  commands,  and 
denunciations,  all  righteous  and  unalterable,  were 
you  to  give  in  to  the  frauds  so  common  in  trade,  or 
do  any  thing  unjustly,  you  must  bid  farewell  to 
peace  of  conscience,  and  to  that  delightful  commu- 
nion with  God  which  has  been  the  sweetest  comfort 
of  your  life.  You  must  exchange  the  pleasing  hope 
of  a  blessed  immortality  for  sharp  self-  condemnation, 
and  a  certain  fearful  looking-for  of  fiery  indignation, 
to  devour  the  adversaries. 

Com.paring,  therefore,  your   spiritual  with  your 


-24  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

temporal  interest,  you  will  feel  that  honesty  is  al- 
wa}S  the  best  policy.  And  though  you  ste  the 
love  of  filthy  lucre  tyrannise  to  such  a  degree, 
"  that  you  may  run  to  and  fro  through  the  streets  of 
the  city,  and  seek  to  find  a  man,  if  there  be  any 
that  executeth  judgment,  yet  unseduced  b\  the  mul- 
titude, you  will  pity  all  who  prospc  r  by  doing  wrong 
to  others.  Surely,"  you  will  say,  '^  they  have  made 
their  faces  harder  than  a  rock.  Surelv  the\  know 
not  the  way  of  the  Lord,  nor  the  judgment  of  their 
God."  Jer.  v. 

Further,  if  you  preside  in  a  family,  you  will  then 
esteem  it  a  grand  branch  of  \  our  duty  to  give  unto 
your  servants  that  which  is  just  and  equal.  You  will 
treat  them  with  gentleness,  and  not  with  haughty 
airs,  because  entirely  dependent.  You  will  preva- 
ricate in  no  contract  made  with  them,  nor  withhold 
their  wages  when  due.  You  will  make  conscience 
of  laying  no  heavier  burden  on  them  than  they  are 
able  to  bear,  nor  exact  harder  labour.  In  case  of 
slight  faults,  you  will  not  fly  upon  them  in  great 
wrath,  galling  them  with  abuse,  or  provoking  them 
by  threats  ;  or,  when  you  observe  them  diligent  and 
faithful  in  your  service,  be  backward  to  give  them 
suitable  encouragement.  And  you  will  abhor  that 
indelible  reproach  to  a  civilized,  much  more  a 
Christian  country,  the  custom  of  abandoning  your 
servants  in  time  of  their  sickness,  rather  than  bear 
the  charge  of  their  cure  ;  turning  them  out  of  your 
house,  unable  to  work,  without  money,  without 
friends,  when  their  condition  loudly  calls  for  medi- 
cine, attendance,  and  bowels  of  compassion. 

The  command  of  your  God,  respecting  the  jus- 
tice, due  from  masters  to  their  servants,  is  exprt  ss. 
He  has  taken  care  to  procure  for  them  a  very  tender 
regard,  wherever  his  own  authority  is  respected. 
' '  Thou  shalt  not  oppress  an  hired  servant  that  is 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  ^7S 

poor  and  needy,  lest  he  cry  against  thee  to  the  Lord, 
and  it  be  sin  unto  thee,"  Deut.  xxiv.  You  are 
assured  that  God,  a  loving  Father,  equally  resents 
the  wrong  done  to  any  of  his  offspring,  and  with  him 
is  no  respect  of  persons. 

Thus  instructed,  you  will  look  upon  your  servants 
in  a  light  very  different  from  what  is  common  ;  and 
watch  against  your  own  selfish  tempers,  and  repress 
the  first  emotions  of  a  shure  angry  spirit,  which 
would  vent  itself  upon  those  who  must  bear  with 
your  humours.  You  will  reason  as  Job  of  old,  ''If 
I  did  despise  the  cause  sf  my  man-servant,  or  my 
maid- servant,  when  they  contended  with  me;"  if, 
in  my  matter  of  debate  betwixt  myself  and  them,  I 
condemn  and  accused  them,  without  regard  to  jus- 
tice,  or  treated  them  harshly,  because  in  my  pow- 
er, "  What  shall  I  then  do  when  God  riseth  up  ? 
And  when  he  visiteth,  what  shall  I  answer  him  ? 
Did  not  he  who  made  me  in  the  womb  make  him  ? 
and  did  not  one  fashion  us  in  the  womb?"  Job  xxxi. 

So  essential  to  a  real  Christian  is  this  just  behav- 
iour towards  his  servants,  that  whoever  violates  it, 
does  but  expose  his  faith  to  derision,  by  pretending 
to  religion.  Can  any  thing  be  more  nauseous  than 
to  profess  yourself  a  follower  of  the  meek,  patient, 
loving  Saviour,  when  you  are  as  a  lion  in  your  house, 
and  frantic  over  your  servants?  One  of  the  most  af- 
flicting objects  on  the  earth,  more  so  than  a  leper 
covered  with  sores,  or  a  paralytic  half  dead,  is  a 
selfish  passionate  master  of  a  family,  calling  himself 
a  religious  man,  or  valuing  himself  on  a  fancied 
relation  to  Christ.  For  every  servant  in  his  house, 
and  all  who  observe  his  carriage  towards  them,  will 
be  led  both  to  loathe  and  to  revile  the  religion  they 
see  joined  with  such  hypocrisy.  From  regard, 
therefore  to  the  name  and  gospel  of  Christ,  that  it 
may  not  through  you  be  blasphemed,  no  less  than 


22d  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

from  love  to  him,  you.  O  Christian,  will  give  n& 
occasion  to  your  servants  to  complain  of  your  evil 
tempers. 

But  if,  instead  of  authority,  the  all-wise  God  has 
chosen  for  you  the  place  of  subjection,  that  of  an  ap- 
prentice or  servant,  you  will  do  justly ;  neither 
wasting  orembezzdng  your  master's  money,  goods, 
or  provisions  yourself,  nor  basely  conniving  at  others 
who  are  wicked  enough  to  do  so.  You  will  not  give 
away  to  people  about  the  house  what  is  not  yours  to 
jive,  nor  be  idle  nor  slothful  in  their  absence  who 
employ  you,  but  consult  the  interest  of  your  master, 
in  some  sense,  as  if  it  was  your  own. 

The  motives  which  will  influence  you  as  a  Chris- 
tian to  do  so  much  more  in  this  case  than  is  common, 
are  peculiar  and  powerful.  You  will  act  thus,  from 
a  desire  to  be  approved  of  God,  though  no  one  be- 
sides himself  observe  you,  and  from  an  invincible 
resolution  not  to  disgrace  a  religious  profession,  or 
bring  reproach  upon  that  gospel  which  you  prize^ 
In  this  substantial  manner,  you  will  prove  your  faith 
is  more  than  a  barren  notion;  that  it  makes  you 
in  a  servant,  the  confidence  your  master  can  place 
worthy  of  all  and  preserves  you  from  falling  into 
those  lies,  those  mean  and  base  practices  so  often 
found  amongst  servants.  This  conscientious  integ- 
rity you  will  esteem  as  the  grand  appeal,  to  all  who 
have  no  faith  themselves,  of  its  divme  power,  judg- 
ing that  the  whole  family  will  certainly,  and  justly 
too,  make  a  mock  of  your  religion,  however  devout 
you  may  appear,  if  you  should  be  found  idle,  pil- 
fering, or  not  to  be  trusted  in  the  dark.  A  mock 
of  your  religion,  no  less  than  if  you  were  detected 
in  the  lewdest  practices,  or  enslaved  by  the  love  of 
liquor;  for  one  kind  of  immorality  is  as  contrary  to 
true  religion  as  another. 

Mucii  opposition  aiid  bitter  hatred  you  will  pro- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  22r 

bably  raise  against  you  from  your  dishonest  fellow- 
servants,  which  you  will  be  able  to  endure,  assured 
that  in  well-doing  God  will  provide  lor  }ou,  and  of 
him  you  shall  rt  ceive  the  reward  of  an  eternal  inher- 
itance ;  for  though  the  value  of  your  services  be  low 
in  the  judgment  of  the  world,  they,  Hke  the  widow's 
mite,  are  as  much  in  the  sight  of  God  as  the  greater 
deeds  of  men  in  high  employments.  Since,  when 
there  is  a  willing  mind,  he  accepteth  according  to 
what  a  man  hath,  and  not  according  to  what  he  hath 
not. 

But  less  such  promises  should  not  prove  sufficient 
to  secure  inviolable  this  justice  due  to  }  our  nmster, 
the  word  of  God  declares  no  fraud,  however  com- 
mon, or  slightly  thought  of,  either  in  purloining  or 
wasting  things,  or  neglecting  your  master's  business, 
if  persisted  in,  will  be  overlooked.  *'  Every  one  that 
doth  wrong  shall  receive  for  the  wrong  that  he  doth, 
whether  rich  or  poor,  master  or  servant'* 

Another  important  instance  and  act  of  justice,  ob- 
served by  every  real  Christian,  is  the  payment  of 
those  customs  enacted  by  law,  and  from  thence  our 
earthly  sovereign's  right,  as  they  are  ab.soiutely 
needful  to  defray  the  high  charges  of  government, 
and  procure  our  defence.  The  divine  command 
adds  a  sanction  to  this  law.  ''  Give  tribute  to  whom 
tribute,  custom  to  whom  custom  is  due."  This 
command  was  honoured  by  the  obedience  of  our 
Redeemer,  who  iiad  neither  silver  nor  gold.  He 
wrought  a  miracle  to  pay  the  tribute  demanded  of 
him,  and  his  poor  disciple  He  did  this,  to  discoun- 
tenance the  vile  iniquity  of  defrauding  the  king'b  ex- 
chequer. 

You  cannot,  therefore,  without  renouncing  sub- 
jection to  Christ,  attempt  either  to  bribe  the'king's 
officer  to  betray  their  trust,  or  contrive  to  deceive 
their  utmost  vigilance.     Besides,  this    practice  of 


228  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

smuggling  not  only  defrauds  the  public  treasury,  it 
also  injures  honest  tradesmen,  and  encourages  an 
infamous  set  of  men  to  get  their  livelihood  in  defi- 
ance of  the  law ;  men  who  spend  all  they  earn  by 
iniquity,  in  drunkenness  and  lewdness  ;  often  a  ter- 
ror to  the  neigbourhood,  till,  increasing  in  villany, 
the  halter  ends  their  shameful  course.  An  acces- 
sory to  all  this  guilt,  and  a  sharer  in  it,  you  become 
as  soon  as  you  deal  with  a  smuggler. 

The  last  instance  of  justice  I  shall  insist  on,  is 
that  of  restitution  to  all  wilfully  injured  by  you,  either 
in  soul,  body,  estate,  or  character.  Have  you  led  a 
friend  or  acquaintance  into  pernicious  errors  in  reli- 
gion, or  tempted  them  to  sinful  compliances  ?  The 
first  step  you  will  necessarily  take,  after  you  have 
believed  and  repented  yourself,  will  be,  to  take  your 
companions  in  iniquity,  as  far  as  you  are  able,  sen- 
sible of  their  condition.  Have  you  defrauded  any 
one  ?  Like  Zaccheus,  you  will  make  ample  restitu- 
tion, esteeming  it  base  and  scandalous,  provoking 
before  God  and  men,  to  live  yourself  in  affluence, 
whilst  others  suffer  through  your  former  injustice. 
No  evidence  can  you  give  of  faith  and  repentance, 
but  what  must  be  deceitful,  if  you  can  fatten  on  the 
spoils  of  which  you  have  defrauded  your  neighbour. 

Further,  as  a  good  name  is  rather  to  be  chosen 
than  great  riches,  if,  from  private  resentment,  violent 
passion,  or  licentiousness  of  speech,  you  have  in- 
vented or  propagated  a  falsehood  to  the  injury  of 
your  neighbour,  you  will  think  it  a  part  of  justice  to 
make  a  particular  retraction  of  the  falsehood  you 
advanced,  and  openly  acknowledge  the  particular 
ae^gravations  with  which  you  have  enlarged.  For 
though  pointing  out  the  truth  in  this  matter  may  be 
prejudicial  to  your  own  reputation,  and  some,  in- 
stead of  commending  your  honesty,  may  abate  of 
the  esteem  they  at  present  have  for  your  name,  thjs 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  ^9. 

esteem  belongs  not  to  you  in  the  measure  you  pos- 
sess it.  You  must  consider  the  right  the  person 
you  have  injured  has  to  be  esteemed  what  he  is,  and 
not  what  you  have  falsely  described  him  ;  and  you 
must  tell  the  whole  truth,  though  you  expose  your- 
self. Mortifying  as  this  procedure  appears,  it  is 
absolutely  necessary,  and  the  only  sure  proof  you 
detest  the  falsehood  and  licentiousness  of  your 
Ipngae. 


SUNDAY  XXX. 

CHAP.  XXX. 

On  the  Tempers  of  a  Christian  towards  his  Fellow-ereaturcb. 

Sincerity  and  love  of  justice,  in  the  extent 
above  described,  though  the  perfection  of  morality 
(as  too  many  understand  that  term),  are  only  two 
considerable  branches  which  grow  from  faith  in 
Christ.  Where  this  lives  in  the  heart,  negative 
righteousness  towards  men  will  never  be  deemed 
sufficient,  nor  can  a  Christian  rest  satisfied  with  a 
base  freedom  from  the  offence  of  wilfully  injuring 
or  deceiving  his  fellow- creatures.  To  the  conscien- 
tious observance  of  sincerity  and  justice,  you  will 
add  the  love  of  mercy.  When  Providence  places 
the  miserable  before  your  eyes,  as  it  did  of  old  the 
wounded  traveller  before  the  priest  and  Levite,  you 
will  not  pass  them  by,  but  be  moved  to  have  com- 
passion on  them.  Disease  and  pain  of  body,  trouble 
of  mind,  pinching  poverty,  hard  and  cruel  usage 
from  men,  and  even  ruin  incurred  by  a  profligate 
life,  will  excite  in  you  grief  and  active  pity.  If  you 
have  much,  like  Job,  you  v/ill,  in  the  distribution  ol 


230  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

your  bounty,  be  eyes  to  the  blind,  feet  to  the  lame, 
and  a  father  to  the  afflicted.  The  biesbing  cf  him 
that  was  ready  to  perish  will  daily  come  upon  }  ou, 
and  you  will  make  the  widow's  heart  leap  for  joy. 

If  your  scanty  lot  can  enable  you  to  give  but  very 
little,  your  heart  will  be  large,  friendi} ,  and  charita- 
ble, as  if  you  had  wealth  to  supply  the  wants  ot  all 
in  need.  Though  you  have  no  bread  of }  our  own 
to  deal  to  the  hungry,  neither  know  a  man  of  afflu- 
ence whom  you  can  ask  to  relieve  them,  one  way 
still  remains  to  give  vent  to  your  merciful  temper,  a 
way  pleasing  to  God,  and  profitable  to  men  ;  }  aw 
make  your  intercession  with  the  Father  of  mercies, 
and  the  God  of  all  consolation,  to  support  them  un- 
der the  pressure  of  their  troubles,  in  due  time  to 
deliver  them,  and  make  affliction  a  sovereign  medi- 
cine to  heal  their  souls. 

In  this  way  the  rich  and  poor  meet  together,  nor 
has  any  one  pre-eminence,  in  a  merciful,  benevolent 
spirit,  above  the  other. 

Further,  you  will  exercise  mercy,  if  you  are  a  real 
Christian,  towards  those  who  are  in  your  power 
from  injuries  they  have  done  to  you,  or  debts  for 
which  they  must  answer.  In  such  cases,  where 
mercy  to  the  offender  will  not  prove  injustice  and 
cruelty  to  the  public,  you  will  wave  the  rigorous 
execution  of  the  law,  and  without  exception,  where 
not  idleness  and  vice,  but  the  appointment  of  Pro- 
vidence, has  disabled  those  indebted  to  you  from 
answering  }' our  demands,  you  will  abhor  the  thought 
of  adding  affliction  to  him  whom  God  hath  wound- 
ed. You  will  reject  with  indignation  the  common 
maxim,  that  you  are  to  have  some  sort  of  satisfaction 
for  your  debt,  by  making  the  man  who  brings  a 
loss  upon  you  rot  in  a  jail.  From  the  same  merci- 
ful temper,  in  every  instance  where  the  innocent 
must  be  deeply  in\'olved  with  the  guilty,   you  will 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAKi  23i 

sooner  suffer  yourself  than  bring  many,  for  the  fault 
of  one,  into  great  distress,  by  taking  away  the  sup^ 
port  of  a  whole  family. 

Besides  these  cases,  there  is  one  grand  province 
in  which  a  Christian's  merciful  temper  shines  with 
the  greatest  lustre  ;  I  mean,  in  tenderly  regarding 
the  spiritual  miseries  and  dangers  of  the  human  race- 
It  is,  I  confess,  generous  and  noble  to  alleviate  and 
remove  the  sufferings  of  the  body,  and  to  take  a 
pleasure  in  doing  good  to  them  who  are  in  adver- 
sity by  liberal  gifts.  Yet  how  limited,  how  partial, 
how  transient  are  the  benefits  !  What  can  alms  avail 
to  comfort,  where  every  distemper  of  the  mind  stiil 
rages "?  Pride,  envy,  hatred,  wrath,  malice,  strife,  or 
filthy  lewdness  in  famihes,  destroy  all  good,  all  en- 
joyment  of  comfort.  You  relieve  the  family  day  by 
day,  but  thf  husband  abuses  his  wife,  beats  and  ter- 
rifies his  poor  children  ;  or  the  proud  imperious  wife 
vexes  to  death  her  husband,  driving  him  into  drun- 
kenness as  a  refuge  from  her  assaults  ;  or  the  chil- 
dren, after  the  bad  examp'es  they  see  at  home,  grow 
in  wickedness  as  in  stature,  to  do  mischief,  and  in- 
crease the  guilt  and  wickedness  of  the  world  by  their 
evil  tempers.  In  every  station  and  walk  of  life,  im- 
mortal souls  are  provoking  their  adorable  Maker  and 
Benefactor  to  jealously,  spurning  at  his  counsel  and 
his  salvadoii,  and  heaping  up  wrath  against  the  day 
of  wrath.  These  are  the  great  objects  which,  louder 
than  even  widows  or  orphans,  call  for  bowels  of 
mercies,  and  the  most  active  exertions  of  our  pity. 

If  you  are  a  Christian  in  truth,  you  will  say,  **  I 
beheld  the  transgressors,  and  was  grieved,  because 
men  kept  not  thy  law."  This  compassion  to  the 
souls  of  men  will  inspire  you  with  zeal  to  save  them 
from  impending  rum.  You  will  watch  for  oppor- 
tunities to  do  good  by  sound  arguments  and  winning 
persuasions,  by  faitliiul  and  strong  declarations  of  the 


232  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

evil  of  sin  and  its  consequences,  where  there  is  an 
ear  to  hear,  ard  a  lucid  interval  in  the  midst  of  the 
wicked  ;  by  distributing  heart- searching  books,  and 
aiding  those  who  are  engaged  *  in  the  delightful 
work  of  spreading  the  knowledge  of  Christ. 

The  causes  which  excite  and  maintain  in  the 
Christian  a  temper,  so  extensively  merciful,  are,  re- 
verence of  his  Maker's  command,  trust  in  his  pro- 
mises, a  sense  of  his  redemption  by  Christ,  and  the 
agency  of  the  Holy  Ghost  on  his  heart. 

The  command  of  God  to  shew  mercy  is  most  fre- 
quent. "  If  there  be  among  you  a  poor  man,  one  of 
thy  brethren,  thou  shalt  not  harden  thy  heart,  nor 
shut  thy  hand  from  thy  poor  brother,  but  thou  shalt 
open  thy  hand  wide  unto  him.  Beware  that  thine 
eye  be  not  evil  against  thy  poor  brother,  and  thou 
givest  him  nought,  and  he  cry  unto  the  Lord  against 
thee,  and  it  be  sin  unto  thee.  Thou  shalt  surely 
give  him,"  Deut.  xv.  7.  In  every  definition  of 
right  behaviour,  a  merciful  tjemper  bears  a  chief  part. 
*'  He  hath  shewed  thee,  O  man,  what  is  good  ;  and 
what  doth  the  Lord  require  of  thee,  but  to  do  justly, 
and  to  love  mercy,  and  to  walk  humbly  with  thy 
God  ?"  Mic.  vi.  In  this  estimate,  pure  and  unde- 
filed  religion  manifests  its  efficacy  ''in  visiting  the 
fatherless  and  widows  in  their  affliction,  and  in  keep- 
ing the  soul  unspotted  from  the  world."  No  duty 
is  more  frequently  urged  than  this.     ''  Be  ye  there- 

*  There  are  two  venerable  societies  engaged  in  the  glorious 
work  of  distributing  Bibles,  Testaments,  and  other  good 
books.  These  societies  are  supported  by  subscription  ;  and 
a  guinea  or  two  annually  subscribed,  is  often  productive  of  pre- 
sent peace  and  eternal  salvation  to  the  souls  of  men.  To  tlie 
ftrst  of  these  societies  you  may  apply  through  the  Reverend 
Mr.  Broughton,  secretary  to  the  society  for  promoting  Chris- 
tian Knowledge  among  the  poor.  To  the  other,  called,  The 
society  for  promoting  Religious  Knowledge  among  the  poor' 
you  may  apply  through  the  Reverend  Dr.  Stennet,  London ^ 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  2il3 

{ore  merciful,  as  your  heavenly  Father  is  also  merci- 
ful," Luke  vi.  3.  6.  "  Be  ye  all  of  one  mind,  hav- 
ing compassion  one  of  another/'  1  Pet.  iii.  These 
commands  prove,  no  one  destitute  of  a  merciful  tem- 
per can  be  acceptable  to  God. 

Again,  his  repeated  promises  invite  and  encour- 
asre  the  Christian  to  abound  in  acts  of  mercv.     For 
though  these  promises  imply  no  worth  in  a  merciful 
temper,  when  it  subsists  with  love  to  sin,  or  preju- 
dice against  the  glory  of  Christ ;   though  these  pro- 
mises are  not  to  be  construed  as  if  a  merciful  temper 
would  be  rewarded  in  derogation  to  faith  in  the  Re- 
deemer, or  cover  our   iniquities,  still   they   are  of 
great  use  to  remove  objections  made  by  our  worldly 
hearts,  if  not  by   those    around    us,  against  doing 
liberally  for  the  poor  and  needy.     They  fully  assure 
us  that  all  acts  of  beneficence,  springing  from  faith 
and  love  to  God,  are  highly  pleasing  to  him,  and, 
through  his  own  amazing  grace,  shall  be  honoured 
with  an  everlasting  reward.     ''  Blessed  are  the  mer- 
ciful, for  they  shall  obtain  mercy,'*  Matth.  5.  '*  He 
that  converteth  a  sinner  from  the  error  of  his  way, 
shall  save  a  soul  from  death,  and  shall  hide  a  mul- 
titude of  sins,"  James  v.  20.     "A  new  command- 
ment I  give  unto  you,  that   ye  love  one  another. 
By  this  shall  all  men  know  that  ye  are  my  disciples, 
if  ye  have  love  one  to  another,"  John  xiii.  Above  all, 
the  Redeemer  will  proclaim  his  high  delight  in  this 
excellent  temper,  from  his  throne  and  glory,  in  the 
presence  of  the  whole   human  and   angelic   race. 
Then  will  he  reward  every  Christian  exercise  of 
mercy,  as  if  it  had  been  conferred  on  himself;  as 
if  the  afflictions  it  relieved  had  been  sustained  in  his 
person,  and  he  07ily  had  received  benefit  and  conso- 
lation from  the  mercy.     "  In  as  much  as  ye  have 
done  it  unro  one  of  the  least  of  these  my  brethren, 
ye  have  done  it  unto  me,"  Matth.  xxv.  40. 


F  p 


034  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

Beyond  the  force  even  of  this  affecting  declaration 
is  the  sense  you   have,  O  Clristian,  of  your  own 
redemption  by  the  blood  shed  on   the  cross.     You 
remember  your  apostacy  from   God  is  such,  and 
such  has  been  your  practice,  that  had  God  destroy- 
ed you  both  body  and  soul  in  hell,  it  would  have 
been  no  more  than  your  desert.     Instead  of  this  in- 
supportable doom,   you,  O  Christian,    knou    that 
God  commendeth  his  love  towards  vou,  thai  whilst 
you  were  yet  a  sinner,  Christ  died  for  you  :  an  in- 
stance of  mercy  in  itself,  and  its  beneficial  tfficacy, 
absolutely  without  a  parallel.     This  is  the  onh  foun- 
dation of  your  peace  and  hope;  it  is  all   your  salva- 
tion,  and  all  your  desire.     By  living  in  a  constant 
view  of  this  matchless  grace,  which  has  reconciled 
you  to  God,  and  made  you  his  heir,  the  love  of 
Christ  will  constrain  you  ;  with  pleasing  energy  it 
will  engage  you  in  an  uniform  intercourse  of  broth- 
erly kindness  and  charity.     A  delightful  emotion  of 
mind,  peculiar  to  the  fauhful  in   Christ  Jesus,  will 
lead  you,  without  adverting  inmiediately  either  to 
the  command  or  promise  oi  God,  to  this  just  conclu- 
sion, "  Beloved,  if  God  so  loved  us,  u  e  ought  also, 
to  love  one  another,"    I  John  iv. 

Besides  these  plam  conunarjds,  precious  promises, 
and  the  mercy  of  God  manifested  in  the  death  of 
his  Son,  which,  with  mutual  operation,  concur  to 
make  the  Christian  love  mercy,  the  Holy  Ghost  is 
given  unto  him,  and  dwells  in  him.  By  his  influ- 
ence, through  the  motives  and  truth  contained  in 
the  written  word,  he  is  deliven  d  from  the  sway  of 
selfish  passions  and  selfish  pursuits.  The  fruit  of- 
that  Spirit,  which  distinguishes  at  once,  and  infin- 
itely  ennobles  every  one  who  belongs  to  Christ,  i$ 
love  and  aii  guoUi^ess. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  £3Sf 

SUNDAY  XXXI. 
CHAP.  XXXI. 

The  Tempers  of  a  Christian  towards  his  Fellow-creature  y. 

1  HOSE  which  we  have  already  considered  as  es- 
sential are  of  the  active  kind  ;  justice,  binctrity  and 
mercy.  There  are  others,  no  less  excelitnt,  of*  a 
passive  nature.  The  world  we  live  in  abounds  with 
U: treasonable  and  vexatious  men  ;  and  our  unavoid- 
able connexion  with  them  requires  much  strength  of 
mmd  properly  to  bear  their  evii  tempers.  Little  self- 
d^nial,  in  general,  is  requisite  to  do  justly,  to  speak 
the  truth,  or  shew  mercy,  compared  with  what  is  ne- 
cessary to  bear,  with  patience,  meekness,  and  love, 
the  tmbiilcnt  and  litigious,  the  violent  and  unjust* 
Yet  a  Christian  must  be  meek.  Trivial  injuries,  a 
reproachful  word,  a  small  indiscretion,  or  a  casual 
loss,  must  not  jnfljrne  your  mind,  as  is  commonly 
the  case  with  men.  Such  things  you  will  esteem 
worthy  of  a  very  slig'u  notice.  Na\ ,  sujiposii^g 
some  great  prov^^catifju  is  offered,  you  will  b<^  j  aU 
ous  over  your  selfish  spirit,  lest  you  tx-  o\ercome 
b)  ill-usage;  lest  the  sin  of  others  should  cause  \ou 
to  grieve  the  Spirit  of  God,  to  bring  guilt  upon 
your  souls,  and  dishonour  upon  your  proiession. 
Even  when  you  are  so  materially  injured  that  ^  ou 
have  a  right  to  seek  redress,  you  will  do  it  \\  ith 
meekness;  first  using  every  mild  method  to  bn,.g 
your  adversary  to  reason.  You  will  try  argunx  nrs 
before  punishment,  conference  before  law,  a».cJ  pri- 
vate persuasions  before  )ou  seek  redress  in  a  court 
of  justice;  or  if  you  are  compelled  to  have  recourse 
to  this  last  remedy,  you  will  refrain  from  passionate 


^36  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

exclamations  and  bitter  reflections  against  your  en^« 
mies. 

Further,  you  must  shew  a  meek  spirit  in  carefully 
avoiding  any  just  cause  of  offtnce  to  others.  For 
this  excellent  temper  does  not  more  efFtctually  sup- 
port under  provocations,  than  enable  men  to  deqy 
their  own  inclinations,  rather  than  give  uneasiness. 
It  will  make  you  cautious,  that  neither  your  actions 
or  words  are  unbecoming.  You  will  be  civil  and 
respectful,  honouring  all  men,  never  loud  and 
overbearing  in  company.  Instead  of  rage  and  bit- 
terness against  those  who  are  seduced  to  depart  from 
the  apostles'  doctrine,  you  will  seek  iheir  recovery 
bv  calmly  producing  the  abounding  evidences  for 
tlie  truth,  and  by  cordially  praying  they  may  per. 
ceive  their  force.  You  will  never  cover  private  re- 
sentment with  the  venerable  name  of  zeal  for  God's 
glory,  and  the  good  of  souls.  You  will  not  think 
contempt  of  your  erring  brother,  or  passion,  pleas- 
ing to  God,  or  in  any  degree  justifiable.  Though 
it  be  common  to  vent  our  rage  against  infidels  and 
heretics,  who  are  doubtless  very  hurtful  members 
of  society,  yet  the  divine  command  is,  **  In  meek- 
ness instruct  those  who  oppose  themselves,  if  God 
peradventure  will  give  them  repentance  to  the  ac-^ 
knowledgment  of  the  truth." 

The  peculiar  motives  which  excite  and  support 
the  exercise  of  this  extensive  meekness  are  such  as, 
philosophers  of  old,  and  their  unbelieving  succes- 
sors  in  our  time,  know  nothing  of,  though  there  has 
been  often,  in  both,  a  great  resemblance  of  meek- 
ness.  You  will  not  be  meek  from  love  of  ease,  lead- 
ing you  to  submit  to  the  ill-humours  of  other  men, 
rather  than  bear  the  trouble  of  contention.  1  his 
often  gains  the  credit  of  great  sweetness  of  temper. 
Nor  will  you  be  meek  from  any  proud  disdain  of 
appearing  to  be  hurt  by  the  perverseness  or  malice 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  2t^ 

of  your  enemies,  which  would  (\ou  thinl<)  betray 
the  weakness  ot  your  Ovvn  mind  ;  but  because  the 
will  of  God  concerning  you  is,  ''  Be  no  brawler,  but 
gentle,  shewing  all  meekness  unio  all  men,''  Tit, 
iii.  ''  Put  off  anger,  wrath,  hatred,  variance,  emula- 
tion, stnle,  and  put  on  kindness,  meekness  and  long- 
sufFcring."  Your  Saviour,  from  whom  you  have  re- 
ceived ail  your  peace  and  hope,  severely  checks  every 
salU  ol  passion,  his  words  on  this  subject  are 
alarming  to  the  last  degree :  ''  Whosoever  is  angry 
with  his  bj other  without  a  cause"  (through  heat 
€f  temper),  *^  shall  be  m  dagger  of  the  judgment" 
fshali  fail  under  the  displeasure  of  God) :  *'  and  v\  ho- 
soever  shall  say  to  him,  Raca"  (chou  worthless  fel- 
low, suffering  the  passion  in  his  mind  to  vent  itself 
b)  deri-ion  oi  a  creature  ot  God),  '•  shall  be  in  dan- 
ger of  the  council"  (offends  in  a  higher  degie^ ) ; 
*'  but  whosoever  shall  sa?^  thou  fool  '  (in  his  wrath,  re- 
presenting hiui  iiot  oiiiv  a^.  til  to  be  despised,  but 
abhorred ),  * '  he  shall  he  in  danger  of  hell  fire. "  Aw  lul 
guard  of  meekness,  intended  to  keep  us  at  a  dis-tance 
from  sour  angry  passions,  the  bane  of  domestic  com- 
fort, the  cause  of  unspeakable  mischief  amongst 
men,  and  one  of  the  chief  enemies  to  the  soni. 

besides  the  command  of  God  to  be  meek,  such 
honour  is  put  upon  this  temper,  as  must  make  every 
Christian  ambitious  to  possess  it.  "  He  that  is  slow 
to  anger  is  better  than  the  mighty,  and  he  that  rul- 
eth  his  spirit  than  he  that  taketh  a  city."  The  meek 
are  blessed,  and  the  inheritance  of  the  Lord  promis- 
ed to  them  ;  meekness  is  distinguished  as  the  princi- 
pal ornament  of  a  Christian,  '*  and  of  great  pnce  ia 
the  sight  of  God," 

Added  to  all  these  motives,  there  is  one  still  more 
powerful  with  every  Christian;  the  astonishing 
meekness  of  the  Author  of  his  salvation.  The  in- 
spired wntcrb,  after  oui'  Lords  aisGeasion,  always 


238  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

fix  our  attention  upon  him  in  his  low  estate,  in  order 
to  make  sinful  anger  appear  without  excuse.  *'  Let 
all  bitterness  and  wrath,  and  anger,  and  clamour, 
and  evil- speaking  be  put  away  from  you,  with  all 
malice  :  and  be  ye  kind  one  to  another,  tender-heart- 
ed, forgiving  one  another,  even  as  God  for  Christ's 
sake  hath  forgiven  you.  Christ  suftertd  for  us,  leav- 
ing us  an  example,  that  ye  should  follow  his  stepsj 
who  did  no  sin,  neither  was  guilt  found  in  his 
mouth;  who,  when  he  was  reviled,  reviled  not  again; 
when  he  suffered,  he  threatened  not ;  who  his  own 
self  bore  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree,  that 
he  might  bring  us  to  God."  Bthold  ihc  grandt  st 
inducement  imaginable  to  be  meek  ;  reconciliLitioii 
with  God,  and  justification  unto  eternal  life,  by  the 
meek,  patient  suffering  of  the  Lamb.  I  must  go> 
therefore,  says  a  Christian,  and  do  likewise  ;  for 
every  one  that  abideth  in  him  must  himself  also  so 
Avalk,  even  as  he  walked. 

Added  to  these  mighty  motives,  what  has  passed 
'in  the  breast  of  a  real  Christian  effectually  inclines 
him  to  be  meek.  For  self-abasement  and  shame  fur 
sin  are  inseparable  from  faith  in  Christ  and  true  re- 
pentance. But  a  self-abased  sinner  can  easily  bear 
with  temper  those  provocations  which  set  the  haughty 
and  self- admiring  all  in  a  flame.  Enormous  crimi- 
nals, when  they  see  themselves  as  they  are,  feel  no 
resentment  at  whatever  is  said  of  them,  or  done  to 
them.  It  is  what  we  deserve,  they  cry,  sighing  at 
the  remembrance  of  their  offence.  The  same  just 
sentiment,  when  you  have  been  humbled  for  your 
sins  before  God,  will  rise  in  your  mind  under  pro- 
vocation to  wrath.  Far  worse  treatment  do  1  de- 
serve, you  will  say,  and  a  severer  trial  of  my  pa- 
tience. 

This  argument,  against  every  violation  of  meek- 
ness, St.  Paul  urges,  founding  his  exhortation  wholly 


COMPL'ETE  DUTY  OF  MAK.  ^3^ 

on  the  sinful  state  in  which  we  are  all  naturally,  as 
every  believer  in  Christ  well  knows.  "  Put  them 
in  mind,"  says  he,  ''to  be  gentle,  shewing  all  meek- 
ness uiuo  ail  men.  For  we  ourselves  also  were 
sonctimes  foolish,  disobedient,  deceived,  serving 
divers  lusts  and  pleasures,  living  in  malice  and  envy, 
hateful  and  hating  one  another.'* 

As  you  advance  in  the  knowledge  and  practice  of 
religion,  fresh  evidences  of  your  own  corruption  will 
discover  themselves  in  your  heart,  and  prove  so 
mmy  repeated  admonitions  to  pray  for  and  exercise 
meekness,  sensible  with  what  long- suffering  God 
endures  the  multitude  of  your  own  failings.  For 
though  the  doninion  of  sin  is  destroyed,  the  strug- 
gle between  flesh  and  spirit  still  remains,  conse- 
quently sufficient  matter  for  self-abasement,  so  long 
ab  you  live. 


SUNDAY  XXXII. 
CHAP.  XXXII. 

The  Tempers  of  a  Christian  towards  his  Fellow-creatures. 

1  O  judge  charitably  of  the  actions,  characters,  and 
intentions  of  men,  is  the  temper  of  a  Christian  ;  I 
mean,  when  they  are  not  e\  idently  such  as  stand 
condemned  in  the  word  of  God,  and  expose  us  to 
his  wrath.  It  is  no  charitable  judgment  to  leave 
drunkards,  liars,  fornicators,  the  dishonest,  the  proud, 
or  self-nglueous,  when  their  lives  or  principles  are 
notorious,  to  jiatter  themselves  they  shall  escape, 
liis  taking  part  ai^ainst  them  with  their  great  adver- 
sary the  devil,  aucl  giving  our  aid  to  delude  their 


240  COMPLETE  DUTV  OF  MAN. 

souls,  till  they  are  lost  for  ever.  But  settin^^  aside 
these  instances,  as  sins  which  go  before  men  to 
judgment,  there  are  many  actions  and  characters  of 
a  doubtful  aspect.  Here  only  is  room  for  the  ex- 
ercise of  charitable  judgment ;  and  in  these  cases, 
O  Christian,  you  will  be  careful  not  to  surmise  evil, 
or  condemn  men,  when  no  sufficient  light  appears 
to  justify  a  peremptory  sentence.  Thus  in  quar- 
rels amongst  relations,  and  contests  about  matters 
of  property,  violent  accusations  are  common  from 
both  sides,  which  have  no  foundation.  The  parties 
are  apt  to  give  very  seducing  misrepresentations  of 
the  fact,  which  few  can  know  :  therefore  we  are 
bound  to  suspend  our  judgment,  and  receive  no  ill 
impressions  from  common  fame. 

With  regard  to  the  characters  of  men  also,  you: 
will  be  charitable  in  your  judgment.     The  com- 
mission of  a  single  crime,  contrary  to  the  tenor  of 
the  delinquent's  life,  you  will  not  cruelly  construe 
into  an  impeachment  of  his  sincerity.     You   will 
not  brand  one  man  as  an  incorrigible  villain,  because 
he  was  once  guilty  of  a  dishonest  action  towards 
yourself;  or  publish  another  to  the  world  as  a  mere 
hypocrite  in  religion,  because  you  have  once  detected 
him  in  doing  evil.     You  will  not  immediately,  as  is 
the  way  of  the  prejudiced,  cry  out,  that,  with  such, 
all  pretention  to  conscience  is  only  a  cloak  to  cover 
bad  designs,  and  a  snare  to  entrap  the  simple.     You 
will  remember,  on  the  contrary,   how  often  violent 
temptation,  suited   to  your  constitutional  sin,  has 
been  too  mighty,  and  overcome  you,  or  brought 
you  near  the  very  point  of  yielding.     You  will  call 
to  mind  that  the  best  of  men,  cannonized  as  saints 
bv  God  himself,  did  not  persevere  in  the  path  of  duty 
without  a  fall.     They  were  overtaken  with  a  fault, 
though  they  soon  recovered,  and  persevered  to  the 
end.  You  will  acknowledge  it  very  possible  for  such 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAK.  241 

as  we  are,  in  our  best  estate,  to  offend  contrary  to 
habitual  practice  and  acknowledged  duty. 

Fair  evidences  of  repentance  will  therefore  induce 
you  to  pass  a  favourable  judgment  on  those  who  have 
dishonoured  their  profession.  You  will  readily  con- 
clude, that  inward  shame,  and  secret  sorrow  for  their 
fall,  has  exceeded  the  reproach  which  their  back- 
slidings  have  brought  upon  them. 

With  regard  to  the  intentions  of  men,  as  they  can 
be  known  only  to  God,  you  will  impute  no  evil 
where  it  is  not  manifest ;  but  resist  injurious  sur- 
mises, that  such  and  such  things  spring  from  a  bad 
design,  when  you  have  no  proof  to  ascertain  the 
charge. 

In  these,  and  similar  cases,  you  will  exercise  a 
charitable  judgment,  because  the  command  of  your 
God  and  Saviour,  that  you  should  do  so,  is  plain 
and  awful.  '*  Judge  not  (where  the  law  of  God  is  si- 
lent, or  where  you  can  have  no  competent  know- 
ledge), that  ye  be  not  judged,  for  with  what  judg- 
ment ye  judge,  ye  shall  be  judged  ;  and  with  what 
measure  ye  mete,  it  shall  be  measured  to  you  again," 
Matth.  vii. 

Your  obedience  to  this  command  will  appear 
most  reasonable,  and  be  made  easy  by  the  witness 
in  your  own  heart.  You  are  conscious  how  often 
you  have  acted  uprightly,  yet  been  charged  with 
evil  intentions.  Your  conduct  has  often  been  cruel- 
ly misconstrued,  often  unjustly  condemned.  You 
remember  also  that  you  have  done  what  you  ought 
not,  promised  and  vowed  you  would  not;  that  many 
prayers,  much  watching,  and  obstinate  contention 
have  been  scarcely  sufficient,  with  the  help  of  God, 
to  get  the  victory  over  your  own  wickedness.  You 
know,  that  when  you  fell,  the  fall  was  instantly  la- 
mented, and,  though  wounded  grievously,  you  re- 
newed the  combat,  grappling  with  your  foe,  as  for 


242  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN'. 

your  life,  till  you  was  conqueror.  You  will  feel, 
therefore,  for  others  in  the  same  situation  you  were 
once  yourself;  assured  that  men  may  really  design 
nothing  but  the  glory  of  God,  and  good-willtomen, 
notwithstanding  they  are  betrayed  into  breach  of 
.duty. 

Such  sentiments,  deeply  impressed  on  your  own 
heart,  will  form  in  you  a  habit  of  judging  your  fel- 
low-creatures with  tenderness  and  mercy. 

Connected  with  candour  towards  all,  you  as  a 
Christian  must  exercise  forgiveness  and  love  to  your 
enemies.  Your  behaviour  under  provocations  must 
be  contrary  to  custom,  and  the  violent  impulse  of 
corrupt  nature.  Is  your  character  basely  reviled? 
You  will  refute  the  malicious  slander,  should  it  need 
an  answer,  without  returning  abuse  for  abuse. 
Should  your  foes  proceed  from  ill- language  to  ill- 
usage,  you  will  still  forgive,  and  prove  the  reality 
of  your  good- will  towards  them,  by  pitying  them 
in  their  distress,  and  serving  them  as  occasion  offers. 
In  some  cases,  grievous  wrongs  may  be  done  to 
you,  such  as  demand  redress  by  law ;  you  will  use 
the  remedy  without  animosity  to  those  who  have 
forced  you  to  take  this  method  of  obtaining  your 
right. 

Further,  should  the  providence  of  God  leave  you 
in  the  power  of  his  enemies,  as  well  as  your  own^ 
who  are  determined,  unless  you  will  renounce  the 
truth,  to  persecute  you  even  unto  death,  such  effi- 
cacy flows  from  your  faith,  that  you  will  feel  good- 
will towards  those  who  stek  your  destruction.  You 
vv^ill  pray  for  them  to  God,  before  whom  it  is  equally 
dangerous  and  impious  to  dissemble  ;  you  will  en- 
treat him  to  give  them  repentance  to  the  acknow- 
ledgement of  the  truth,  pardon  their  sin,  and  bring 
them  to  heaven. 

Thus  complete  is  the  forgiveness  and  l©ve  a  Chris- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  243 

tian  exercises  towards  those  who  hate  and  injure 
him. 

The  reasonableness  of  this  temper  is  proved,  and 
the  practice  enforced,  by  the  most  cogent  argu- 
ments. 

Your  knowledge  of  God  in  his  government  of 
the  world  condemns  all  hatred  even  of  your  bit- 
terest foes.  What  manner  of  affronts  and  insults 
does  he  daily  receive  ?  Consider  the  condition  and 
the  obligations  the  persons  are  under  to  him,  when 
they  offer  them  ;  call  to  mind  the  glory  of  his  ma- 
jesty, the  ample  means  he  hath  in  his  power  instant- 
ly to  avenge  his  own  injured  name,  by  consuming 
his  daring  adversaries  in  a  moment.  At  the  same 
time  you  see  him  slow  to  anger,  and  of  great  mercy, 
waiting  for  many  years  in  deep  compassion  towards 
them,  who  hate  his  government  and  his  truth. 

Every  Christian  considers  this  adorable  goodness 
of  God  conbpicuous  in  his  government  of  the  world, 
and  sees  it  shine  with  the  brightest  glory  in  the  re- 
demption of  men.  By  frequent  and  serious  medita- 
tion on  this  fact,  you  will  reason  thus  with  yourself: 
Had  God  dealt  with  his  enemies,  as  I  am  prompted 
to  do  with  mine,  had  he  been  wanting  in  mercy,  or 
chosen  to  take  vengeance,  what  had  become  of  us 
ail ;  of  a  world  in  arms  against  him  ?  Had  God 
loved  none  but  those  who  first  loved  him,  or  waited 
to  give  his  inestimable  blessings  till  we  had  made  an 
advance  to  obtain  mercy,  where  had  been  the  means 
of  grace,  where  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  ?  He, 
on  the  contrary,  commendeth  his  love  to  us,  that, 
when  we  were  yet  enemies,  Christ  died  for  us. 
How  inexcusable  then,  and  desperately  wicked  must 
it  be  in  me,  to  be  wrath  with  a  fellow- sinner,  since 
God  has  so  much  compassion  on  us  all  ? 

The  force  of  this  motive  is  also  considerably  in- 
cnreased  by  your  experience  of  God's  tender  mercy 


244  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

to  your  own  soul.  You  remember,  O  Christian ^ 
how  long  you-  lived  in  forgetfulness  and  contempt  of 
God,  as  if  you  had  been  independent  of  him,  or 
he  unworthy  of  your  notice  ;  how  long  you  was 
engrossed  by  mean  and  selfish  pursuits,  never  iur 
quiring,  where  is  God  my  maker?  Yet  you  know 
he  suffered  you  to  survive  all  this  insolence  of  be- 
haviour towards  him.  In  the  midst  of  it  all,  his 
mercy  was  not  withheld  from  you ;  he  still  protect- 
ed, still  provided  for  you,  and  preserved  you  from 
perishing  for  ever  in  your  sins.  At  length  he  crown- 
ed his  mercy  towards  you,  by  giving  you  repentance 
and  remission  of  sin  through  faith  in  Jesus  Christ. 
This  very  gracious  and  long  indulgence  from  your 
heavenly  Father  towards  you,  lays  bare  the  hideous 
deformity  of  a  vindictive  spirit.  Compared  with  the 
treatment  you  have  received,  what  a  return  to  repay 
your  enemies  hatred  for  their  ill-will  ?  This  con- 
trast, where  any  sense  of  right  and  wrong  remains, 
is  insupportable  to  the  mind.  Though  violent  pro- 
vocations, therefore,  may  suddenly  kindle  sparks  of 
resentment  in  your  breast,  and  prompt  you  to  gra- 
tify the  impulse  of  your  selfish  nature,  very  soon 
a  recollection  of  God's  patience  and  love  towards 
yourself,  will  make  the  transient  thought  of  revenge 
appear  full  of  injustice,  weakness,  ingratitude  to 
God,  and  a  denial  of  your  sinful  state  before  him. 
By  this  means  the  hell-engendered  fire  will  be  pre- 
sently extinct,  and  love  reign  in  your  heart. 

Besides  these  motives,  your  firm  belief  of  scrip- 
ture, O  Christian,  convinces  you  that  every  rising 
of  ill-will  towards  any  man  is  abomiable  in  God's 
sight ;  for  you  are  assured,  that  whoever  harbors 
hatred  in  his  heart  cannot  be  saved,  till  that  detesta- 
ble spirit  is  subdued.  It  is  so  highly  offensive  to 
God,  in  such  sinful  wretches  as  we  are,  that  it  ren- 
ders us  incapable  of  praying,  without  increa'iing 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  245 

our  sin  and  coi'demnation.  The  tongue  which  holds 
a'ly  correspondence  with  a  heart  envenomed  by  hat- 
red, invokes  the  curse  of  God,  when  it  cries,  "  For- 
give us  our  trespasses,  as  we  forgive  them  that  tres- 
pass against  us."  The  petition,  dreadfully  inverted, 
soimds  thus  in  his  ears,  '*  Forgive  not  me  my  tres- 
passes, as  1  do  not  forgive  them  that  trespass  against 
me."  And  whoever  dies  in  hatred  of  his  foes,  will 
find  himself  answered  according  to  this  true  meaning 
of  his  prayer :  justice  he  shall  have,  and  not  mercy  ; 
vengeance,  and  not  compassion. 

In  so  forcible  a  manner  are  you  taught,  O  Chris- 
tian, to  forgive  and  love  your  enemies.  Whilst 
these  arguments  prove  the  reasonableness  and  indis- 
pensable duty  of  forgiveness,  the  grace  of  God  is 
promised,  that  what  is  impossible  with  man  may- 
be your  constant  practice.  For  though  injuries  ex- 
tremely irritate  our  selfish  spirit,  whilst  we  hav^e  a 
high  opinion  of  our  own  dignity,  and  imagine  we 
have  a  right  to  avenge  ourselves ;  whilst  we  have 
never  been  brou,2:ht  low  on  our  knees,  to  ask  with  a 
broken  heart  pardon  for  our  faults  ;  yet  afterwards, 
upon  receiving  a  spirit  of  love,  of  power,  and  of  a 
sound  mind,  we  are  not  soon  apt  to  think  ourselves 
so  miserably  ill-used ;  the  injuries  done  us  appear 
small,  compared  with  what  we  know  we  deserve, 
and  are  accustomed  to  deprecate  ;  evils  which  threat- 
en death  to  the  soul.  And  through  a  supreme  desire 
to  please  our  Lord  by  the  reasonable  sacrifice  of  so 
vile  a  iust,  \ve  can  do  it  in  his  strength. 


246  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

SUNDAY  XXXIII. 

CHAP.  XXXIII. 

Christian  Humility. 

The  Christian,  by  continuing  in  the  faith  of 
Christ,  and  growing  in  grace,  comes  at  length  to  pre- 
fer every  one  before  himself.  This  is  the  crowning 
excellency  in  his  character,  an  attainment  which  not 
only  surpasses  all  the  world  judges  to  be  excellent  or 
necessary  to  salvation,  but  appears  to  them  big  with 
absurdity.  How  is  it  possible,  say  they,  not  to  per- 
ceive a  vast  difference  in  the  practice  and  tempers  of 
mankind  ?  But  if  I  am  allowed  to  see  this  difference 
in  regard  to  others,  can  it  be  wrong  to  acknowledge 
as  much  with  regard  to  myself?  What  a  violence 
does  it  offer  to  my  reason,  to  attempt  to  persuade 
me,  that  a  man  who  loves  righteousness,  and  hates 
iniquity,  is  not  to  prefer  himself  to  the  disobedient 
and  lawless  ? 

But  let  the  case  be  properly  stated,  and  there  will 
appear,  I  conceive,  very  sufficient  reason  for  a  Chris- 
tian to  take  tlie  lowest  place. 

It  is  certain  then,  if  you  are  much  advanced  in 
the  knowledge  and  practice  of  true  religion  (which 
is  the  case  supposed),  you  are  very  sensible  of  the 
corruption  of  your  nature ;  for  nothing  but  pride, 
blinding  the  mind,  can  prevent  this  from  being  felt. 
It  is  also  certain  that  you  arc  conscious  of  much  un- 
faithfulness to  the  grace  received,  of  very  great  de- 
fects, many  sins  of  omission,  much  negligence  in  the 
service  of  God,  and  of  a  very  small  measure  of  those 
holy  tempers  which  ought  to  have  been  improved  to 
a  high  degree.     At  the  same  time,  you  clearly  per- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  24r 

ceive  what  excellent  advantages  you  have  enjoyed, 
what  peculiar  obligations  you  are  under  on  this  ac- 
count, demanding  sui-ible  returns  in  faith,  love  and 
obedience.  You  remember  the  alarming  calls,  the 
affectionate  warnings,  which  have  strongly  impress- 
ed \  our  heart,  the  answers  given  to  your  prayers,  the 
troubles,  the  dangers,  and  the  enemies  from  which 
you  have  been  delivered,  with  the  peace,  comfort, 
and  delightful  hope  so  often  refreshing  and  animating 

your  soul. 

In  these  circumstances,  must  not  every  thing 
which  betrays  evil  concupiscence,  inordinate  affec- 
tion, or  want  of  supreme  love  to  God  in  any  in- 
stance, afflict  and  abase  you  ?  Such  being  the  case 
with  every  humble  and  advanced  Christir  n,  I 
would  now  ask,  where  is  the  absurdity  of  conclud- 
ing each  person  of  this  character  should  judge  him- 
self (every  thing  considered)  inferior  to  all  men? 
Or  from  the  bottom  of  his  heart  believe  there  is  not 
one  upon  earth  who,  if  blessed  with  equal  ad- 
vantages, would  not  have  far  surpassed  his  attain- 
ment b  ? 

The  whole  difficulty  of  conceiving  that  the  most 
excellent  in  the  church  of  Christ  do  really  entertain 
such  thoughts  of  themselves,  arises  from  pride  na- 
tural to  the  heart,  which  loves  to  dwell  on  any  sup- 
posed pre-eminence  above  others,  without  once  con- 
sidering how  much  more  than  others  they  have  been 
favoured  by  Providence,  or  comparing  the  progress 
they  have  made  with  the  means  vouchsafed,  or  the 
duty  they  owe.  The  advanced  Christian  is  of  a 
more  reasonable  and  humble  mind.  He  blushes  at 
his  manifold  and  great  defects:  having  his  soul 
strongly  impressed  with  the  rich  grace  he  received, 
and  the  excellency  of  the  God  he  serves,  he  thinks 
it  is  not  so  with  any  man  beside  :  the  transition  then 
is  easy,  to  prefer  every  one  before  himself. 


248  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

The  command  to  do  so  is  plain  ;  "  In  lowliness  of 
mind,  let  each  esteem  other  better  than  themselves," 
Phil.  ii.  3.  A  command  expressly  enjoined  as  the 
only  prevention  of  vain  glory.  Nor  must  this  com- 
mand be  interpreted  only  to  imply  a  preference  of 
those  who  walk  worthy  of  their  Christian  name, 
leaving  you  still  at  liberty  to  look  down  upon  open 
transgressors  as  worse  than  yourself.  This  construc- 
tion is  contrary  to  a  parable  our  God  spoke,  on  pur- 
pose to  condemn  the  sin  of  valuing  ourselves  above 
any  one.  He  sets  before  us  a  Pharisee  and  a  pub- 
lican ;  the  former  is  honest,  strictly  conscientious  and 
devout,  virtues  which  he  acknowledges  are  the  gift 
of  God  ;  he  only  prefers  himself  on  their  account  to 
the  adulterers,  the  unjust  and  profane.  One  of 
them  he  mentions  in  his  prayer  (not  from  personal 
aversion)  merely  because  he  saw  him  in  the  temple^, 
and  thanks  God  he  was  not  so  base  and  wicked  as 
this  publican.  You  know  the  judgment  of  God  in 
this  case.  The  Pharisee  was  left  in  his  sins,  highly 
offensive  to  his  Maker,  because  he  exalted  himself 
above  the  publican.  He  trusted  in  himself  as  righ- 
teous, and  despised  others  in  comparison  of  himself; 
a  full  proof,  as  can  be  given,  that  it  is  the  bounden 
duty  of  every  Christian  to  take  the  lowest  place. 

This  example  proves,  that  all  who  prefer  them- 
selves to  others  in  fact  adopt  the  sentiment  of  the 
Pharisee,  and  do  just  what  he  did.  This  instruc- 
tive parable  convinces  you,  that  as  there  were  none 
in  common  opinion  more  wicked  than  publicans, 

*  Observe,  there  could  be  nothing  wrong  in  the  Pharisee's 
making  mention  of  the  publican's  name,  unless  there  was  in-* 
iustice  in  his  preferring  himself  to  him  ;  since  nothing  is  more 
pluin,  than  that  he  might  very  innocently  mention  in  his 
prayer  what  he,  at  all  other  times,  was  allowed  to  think. 
But  this  he  was  not  allowed  to  do,  if  he  might  esteem  him-- 
self  above  the  publican. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  5249 

there  are  none  so  wicked  as  to  justify  your  placing 
yourself  above  them.     Hence  you  will  constantly 
watch  against  self-complacency,  a  subtle  enemy  to 
your  soul.     You  will  repel  its  insinuations  whenever 
you  see  the  wickedness,  or  hear  the  faults  of  those 
around  you.     You  will  bt  jealous  lest  pride  should 
be  fostered  by  consciousness  of  what  God  has  done 
for  you,  and  be  afraid  of  nothing  more  than  the 
vanity  of  your  own  mind  ;  remembering  the  righte- 
ous decree,  which  truth  itself  has  thrice  proclaimed 
"  Every  one  that  exalteth  himself  shall  be  abased' 
and  he  that  humbleth  himself  shall  be  exalted."       ' 
From  the  representation  now  given  of  a  Christian 
in  his  tempers  towards  his  fellow-creatures,  it  is 
evident  that  he  must  prove  a  blessing  to  every  one 
about  him.     Who  would  not  rejoice  to  have  that 
man  for  his  superior,  or  relation,  his  acquaintance 
neighbour,  or  domestic  servant,  in  whom  so  many 
excellent  qualities  unite  ?  who  is  sincere,  just,  mer- 
ciful, meek,  candid,  benevolent,  and  ready  to  for- 
give every  wrong  done  to  him  ;  yet,  in  the  posses- 
sion of  so  much  substantial  goodness,  is  free  from 
all  self-admiration  or  vanity,  amidst  the  applause  he 
receives  ;  not  preferring  himself  to  others,  or  even 
thinking  he   has  attained,    but  pressing  forwards, 
ashamed  of  his  small  progress  ;  and,  penetrated  with 
a  sense  of  his  own  vileness,  taking  the  lowest  place. 
What  Jewish  enmity  against  Christ,  what  infernal 
hatred  of  righteousness  and  true  holiness  must  fill 
the  heart,  which  does  not  dehght  in  such  a  charac- 
ter, and  extol,  as  the  rich  gift  of  God,  that  gospel 
which  forms  and  supports  it ! 

Such  is  not  the  ideal  picture  of  what  a  Christian 
should  be,  but  the  daily  life  of  thousands,  and  of  all 
who  have  a  scripture  title  to  that  highly  venerable 
name.  Faith  in  the  Son  of  God,  as  their  atoning 
sacrifice,  and  the  Lord  their  righteousness,  through 

H  K 


250  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

the  influence  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  produces  this  di- 
vine  transformation  of  soul,  this  new  creation  in 
Christ  Jesus. 


PRAYER, 

Suited  to  the  preceding  Subject. 

WE  bless  thee,  O  Lord  our  God,  for  all  thy 
loving- kindness  to  the  children  of  men.  We 
thank  thee  that  we  are  so  strictly  charged  to  abhor 
all  that  is  hurtful  to  our  fellow -creatures,  and  prac- 
tice whatever  is  beneficial  to  them.  When  we  call 
to  remembrance  the  time  past,  we  feel,  alas  !  much 
cause  to  be  ashamed.  Every  relation,  friend,  and 
neighbour,  testify  against  us.  How  destitute  were  we 
once  of  all  Christian  tempers,  and  how  sadly  defec- 
tive in  them  are  we  still !  We  cannot  tell  how  often 
we  have  offended  against  truth,  justice,  and  love, 
alwavs  due  from  us  to  our  neighbour.  We  re- 
member these  our  faults,  we  are  ashamed,  and 
abase  ourselves,  and  look  to  our  great  and  merciful 
High- priest,  to  obtain  our  pardon  through  his  blood. 
Never  let  us  forget  how  often  we  have  done  evil,  how 
often  neglected  to  do  good  to  thy  creatures,  whom 
we  ought  to  have  loved  as  we  do  ourselves.  De- 
sirous of  offending  thee  no  more,  by  siiming  against 
our  neighbour,  we  beg  thy  help  to  conquer  our  cor-, 
ruption.  May  we  never  more  deceive  or  dissem- 
ble ;  never  be  injurious  to  others  for  filthy  lucre 
sake.  In  every  hour  of  peculiar  temptation  to  dis- 
honesty, v/ithhold  us  from  doing  evil.  Open  our 
eyes  to  see  so  clearly  that  it  will  provoke  thy  displea- 
sure, and  ruin  our  souls,  that  we  may  be  ever  kept 
from  being  unrighteous,  either  in  a  great  matter  or  a 
small.     Mav  all  ^vho  li\e  with  us  be  witnesses  to 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  25 1 

our  integrity.  To  integrity  may  we  add  brotherly 
kindness  and  chanty  ;  be  glad  to  contribute  to  feed 
the  hungry,  and  clothe  the  naked,  to  visit  the  father- 
less and  widows  in  their  affliction,  to  instruct  the 
ignorant,  give  protection  to  the  injured,  and  deliv- 
erance to  those  oppressed  with  wrong.  Above  all, 
may  our  bowels  yearn  over  those  who  are  ready  to 
perish ;  may  we  watch  for  opportunities  to  do  good 
to  their  souls,  and  fervently  commend  them  to  thy 
mercy. 

Form  and  fashion  us  to  exercise  charity  in  judging 
of  the  characters  of  men.  Help  here.  Lord,  v.ith 
all  might ;  O  quench  that  hellish  fire  within,  which 
inflames  our  tongues  with  bitterness.  Deliver  us 
from  that  hypocrisy,  which  instantly  takes  great  of- 
fence at  the  mote  in  our  brother's  eye,  whilst  the 
beam  is  in  our  own.  By  thy  almighty  grace  save 
us  from  this  hateful  spirit.  Make  us  kind,  tender- 
hearted, and  very  pitiful.  Set  before  us  the  exam- 
ple of  the  meek  and  lowly  Jesus,  that  we  may  be 
ashamed  of  ]>eevishness  and  passion ;  that  we  may 
be  galled  with  self-reproach,  and  confess  how  much 
we  grieve  the  Spirit  of  God,  when  our  actions, 
words,  or  looks,  are  not  governed  by  the  law  of 
kindness. 

Whatever  we  suffer  from  the  contempt,  hatred,  or 
malice  of  men,  may  we,  through  the  help  of  our  God, 
bear  it  with  patience,  and  return  good  for  evil. 
What  is  impossible  with  men,  enable  us  to  do, 
through  the  knowledge  of  Christ,  crucified  for  his 
enemies,  and  praying  for  his  murderers.  And  after 
we  have  persevered  in  the  constant  observance  of 
truth  and  justice,  in  the  exercise  of  meekness, 
mercy,  and  love  to  all  men,  O  may  we  be  found 
clothed  with  humility ;  may  we  take  the  lowest 
place,  and  esteem  every  one  better  than  ourselves. 

Thus,  as  trees  of  righteousness  of  ilie  Lord's  plant- 


252  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

ingr^  may  we  bring  forth  every  good  fruit,  that  men, 
seeing  our  good  works,  may  glorify  our  Father 
which  is  in  Heaven.  Grant  these  our  requests,  for 
the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ,  our  Mediator  and  Re- 
deemer.    Amen. 


SUNDAY  XXXIV. 
CHAP.  XXXIV. 

The  Duty  of  a  Christian  in  a  married  State. 

W  E  have  taken  a  view  of  the  Christian  in  those 
tempers  which  he  bears  towards  all  mankind,  sin- 
cerity, justice,  mercy,  meekness,  candour,  love,  and 
humility.  We  proceed  to  consider  him  in  the  dis- 
charge of  duties  which  he  owes  from  a  peculiar  near- 
ness of  relation,  in  the  married  state,  and  with  res- 
pect to  his  kindred  and  servants.  These  connexions 
are  ordained  by  divine  Providence,  in  order  that  a 
mutual  observation  of  the  duties  arising  from  them 
might  prove  a  source  of  greater  comfort  than  could 
otherwise  be  enjoyed. 

In  each  of  these  relations  the  knowledge  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  of  singular  advantage,  not  only 
by  pointing  out  the  extent  of  each  relative  duty  with 
more  clearness,  but  my  making  a  violation  of  it  ap- 
pear more  criminal  than  it  ever  does  to  men  igno- 
rant of  Christian  principles. 

With  regard  to  the  married  state,  the  jpnutual  du- 
ties of  husbands  and  wives  are  fidelity  and  love  ;  the 
distinct  support  and  government  on  the  husband's 
part ;  on  the  wife's,  assistance  and  obedience. 

Fidelity  to  the  marriage-bed  is  equally  bound  on 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  253 

bo^^h  parties  by  the  marriage -covenant ;  because,  by 
this  union,  they  become  each  others  property ;  so 
that,  if  either  yield  to  the  embraces  of  another,  the 
covenant  is  annulled,  a  divorce  ought  to  follow,  and 
the  high  displeasure  of  God  is  incurred ;  ''  For 
whoremongers  and  adulterers  he  will  judge." 

In  the  eyes  of  all,  therefore,  who  revere  the  au- 
thority of  God,  lewdness  in  the  marriage- state  is  a 
crime  of  great  enormity.  So  far  mu.^t  Christian 
husbands  and  wives  be  from  injuring  each  other  by 
defiling  the  marriage- bed,  that  they  must  be  free 
from  every  thing  in  their  air,  dress,  or  discourse 
which  savours  of  wantonness,  or  would  encourage 
loose  desires.  Whatever  has  this  tendency,  howe- 
ver fashionable,  they  will  shun  as  of  hatefuf  tenden- 
cy, contrary  to  the  marriage- contract.  In  their 
judgment  it  will  be  no  sufficient  observation  of 
conjugal  fidelity  barely  to  abstain  from  adulterous 
commerce ;  they  must  maintain  a  purity  of  heart, 
and  detest  what  betrays  the  want  of  it,  foolish 
jesting. 

Nothing  less  than  this  is  required  on  the  man's 
part  to  keep  his  marriage  vow  inviolate  ;  and  on  the 
woman's,  to  shew  a  chaste  conversation,  a  duty 
equally  incumbent  on  both  :  and  for  either  to  trans- 
gress here,  is  to  despise  the  plain  command  of  God, 
and  his  benevolent,  everlasting  ordinance. 

To  fidelity  must  be  added  mutual  love,  for  love 
is  the  life  of  marriage,  without  which  it  differs  as 
much  from  the  comfortable  society  our  gracious 
God  intended  to  establish  by  it,  as  servitude  from 
freedom.  When  this  union  was  first  made  in  para- 
dise, it  was  immediately  declared,  that  as  soon  as 
ever  the  bonds  of  marriage  took  place  amongst  the 
posterities  of  Adam,  they  should  prove  stronger  than 
the  bonds  of  nature  :  "•  A  man  shall  forsake  even  his 
father  and  mother,  and  cleave  to  his  wife."     Like 


£54  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN, 

the  two  pieces  of  wood  which  God  commands  Eze- 
kiel  to  join  together,  and  they  became  one  in  his 
hand,  Ezekiel  xxxvii.  So  marriage  was  ordained 
as  an  including  rind,  to  make  of  two  persons  one 
flesh  ;  from  which  union  there  ought  to  flow  a  con- 
stant circulation  of  kind  offices  and  endearing  atten- 
tions, as  the  vitial  juices  flow  through  the  natural 
body  ;  consequently  husbands  and  wives,  though 
blameless  in  point  of  conjugal  fidelity,  are  still  very 
guilty,  if  they  live  in  indifference  towards  each  other. 
A  failure  in  point  of  affection  does  not,  it  is  grant- 
ed, break  the  marriage  bond,  as  adultery  ;  yet  it 
defeats  one  principal  end  of  its  institution  :  for  it 
was  designed  to  unite  the  hearts  of  the  married  pair, 
and  to  produce  a  consummate  friendship  from  the 
pleasing  combination  of  two  persons,  whose  interests 
are  by  this  means  made  invariably  the  same.  But, 
instead  of  these  advantages,  want  of  love  in  either 
party  perverts  the  state  of  marriage  into  a  most  griev- 
ous burden  and  bondage. 

Great  stress  is  therefore  laid  upon  this  matter  in 
the  rule  of  a  Christian's  duty.  Hu^^bands  and  wives 
are  commanded  to  shew  the  most  affectionate  regard 
to  each  other.  The  precept  is  immediately  address- 
ed to  husbands,  but  it  equally  applies  to  wives. 
*'  So  ought  men  to  love  their  wives  as  their  own 
bodies.  He  that  loveth  his  wite,  loveth  himself. 
For  no  man  ever  yet  hated  his  own  flesh,  but  nour- 
isheth  and  cherisheth  it,  even  as  the  Lord  the 
church."  Ephcs.  v.  In  this  command,  observe  the 
quick  feeling  which  every  man  has  of  the  least  hurt 
done  to  his  body,  the  constant  aversion  to  every 
thing  which  would  give  it  pain,  and  the  incessant 
desire  of  its  health  and  comfort,  are  chosen  to  re- 
present the  strength,  delicacy,  and  perpetuity  of 
conjugal  aflfection. 

And  as  the  body  partakes  no  less  of  your  care  and 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  iNIAN. 


i^O'O 


love,  on  account  either  of  its  weakness,  deformit}% 
or  disease,  so  no  disagreeable  qualities  or  perverse 
humours  on  either  side  can  justify  the  other  party 
in  withholding  the  tribute  of  love.  These  faults 
indeed  make  it  very  difficult  to  behave  with  proper 
tenderness  ,  and  prove  a  severe  trial  of  faith  and  pa- 
tience, which  yet,  in  the  end,  will  certainly  get  the 
victory. 

This  tender  affection  is  finely  taught  the  husband 
in  the  conclusion  of  the  precept,  by  directing  him  to 
copy  the  love  of  Christ  for  his  church  in  his  own  to 
his  wife.  As  if  it  had  been  said,  you  abundantly 
experience  the  care  and  affection  of  your  Saviour, 
and  see  it  exercised  over  your  fellow- Christians ; 
you  see  how  he  bears  with  your  infirmities,  and 
with  many  things  in  you  exceedingly  wrong  and  dis- 
tasteful to  him  ;  yet  he  grows  not  cold  to  your  wel- 
fare, nor  rejects  you  from  among  his  children. 
Shew  you,  therefore,  the  same  tenderness  to  eacli 
other,  which  the  whole  church  experiences  from  its 
head,  and  never  think  yourselves  at  liberty  to  yield  tQ 
moroseness,  or  live  without  endearing  expressions 
of  mutual  love. 

Further,  husbands  and  wives,  who  are  Christians, 
must  have  their  aft'ection  for  each  other  spiritual^ 
both  in  its  foundation  and  effects.  It  must  not  be 
built  chiefly  on  beauty  of  person,  for  this  is  one  of 
the  most  fleeting  things  in  nature,  and  incapable, 
even  whilst  it  lasts,  to  maintain  its  enchanting  power. 
Very  often  those  who  come  together  in  rapture, 
enamoured  with  each  other's  form,  soon  grow  cool 
in  their  regard,  and  hate  one  another  as  forcibly  as 
they  loved  at  first.  Nor  can  there  be  any  security 
that  this  will  not  sooner  or  later  prove  the  case,  when 
the  cause  of  affection  is  so  mean  and  senstial. 

But,  suppose  even  good  sense,  good  manners,  and 
a  temper  formed  for  friendship,  engage  the  parties 


256  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

to  inarry  ;  even  these  amiable  accomplishments,  un- 
less higher  considerations  concur,  leave  them  in 
danger  of  taking  great  disgust,  and  living  unhappily- 
together.  For  these  accomplishments  perfectly 
coincide  with  excessive  love  of  pleasure,  of  the 
world,  of  independence.  Hence  it  often  comes  to 
pass,  that  husbands  and  wives,  who  have  no  better 
foundation  of  their  mutual  love  than  those  agreeable 
qualities  by  which  they  were  so  pleasing  to  each 
other  on  their  first  intimacy,  are  very  miserable  to- 
gether at  last.  They  find  more  restraint  than  they 
expected,  and  less  entertainment ;  they  cease  study- 
ing to  please,  and  evil  tempers,  before  concealed, 
break  out.  Especially  when  misfortune  produces  a 
bitter  change  of  condition,  frequently  the  well-bred, 
sensible,  agreeable  husband  and  wife,  changes  with 
their  circumstances,  and  grows  a  peevish,  complain* 
ing,  irksome  companion. 

The  affection  of  Christian  husbands  and  wives 
must  stand  upon  a  firmer  basis.  The  husband  must 
love  his  wife,  not  chiefly  for  her  beauty,  manners, 
or  even  the  affection  she  bears  to  him,  but  as  a 
creature  of  God,  entitled  by  their  union  (which 
is  of  divine  origin)  to  his  tender  affection.  The 
Christian  wife  also  must  love  her  husband,  not  on 
account  of  the  superiority  of  his  understanding,  the 
applause  he  receives,  the  honour  of  his  condition,  or 
the  love  he  has  for  herself,  but  in  obedience  to  the 
will  of  God,  holy,  just,  and  good,  which  requires  her 
to  d^vell  in  love  with  her  husband,  with  whom  she 
is  become  one  person.  Where  conjugal  affection  is 
not  thus  secured  by  conscience  towards  God,  a 
thousand  unforeseen  accidents  may  raise  a  storm  of 
contention  ;  and  some  bitter  expressions  may  escape 
in  the  heat  of  passion,  which  will  eat  as  does  a  can- 
ker, consuming  all  enjoyment  of  the  marriage  state^ 
if  they  do  not  cause  an  open  separation. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN'.  257 

Husbands  and  wives,  on  the  contrary,  governed 
by  the  authority  and  love  of  Christ,  will  be  strongly 
united  in  the  common  source  of  their  feUcity,  and 
the  object  of  their  highest  adoration  ;  for  here  they 
find  a  constant  unalterable  reason  for  mutual  esteem 
and  love. 


SUNDAY  XXXV. 

CHAP.  XXXV. 

The  Christian's  Duty  in  the  marriage  State. 

As  the  ground  of  affection  between  Christian  hus- 
bands and  wives  must  be  spiritual,  so  must  the  ex- 
pressions and  proofs  of  it.     To  be  solicitous  only 
in  procuring  a  comfortable  provision  for  your  wife, 
that  she  may  not  be  left  destitute  or  dependent,  when 
your  diligence  or  frugality   might  prevent  it,  is  the 
affection  every  man  must  feel,  who  is  not  sunk  be- 
neath a  brute.     On  the  other  hand,  the   wife  may 
express   love  to  her  husband  by   a  most  discreet 
management  of  the  family,  by  cheerfully  doing  her 
utmost  for  its  welfare,  and  bv  study insr  to  make  his 
life  and  home  agreeable,  yet  be  void  of  the  least  sav- 
our of  Christian  knowledge.     Mutual   and  earnest 
endeavours  to  please  each  other   are    often   found 
where  the  parties  do  a  thousand  things  in  open  defi- 
ance of  God's  authority,  and,  instead  of  meek  re- 
monstrance, or  disapproving  silence  on  either  side, 
they  remain  very  well  satisfied  with  each   other's 
conduct.     A  perfidious  sort  of  love  this  is,  though 
every  where  prevalent.     A  confederacy  against  the 
truth  and    government    of  God,    by  which  they 

I  I 


25 s  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

strengthen  one  another  in  unbeHef  and  profanencss., 
and  are  principal  instruments  of  each  other's  endless 
miserj^ 

In  a  manner  quite  the  reverse,  will  the  affection  of 
Christian  husbands  and  wives  for  each  other  be  dis- 
covered. Their  spiritual  good  will  be  a  chief  and 
mutual  concern.  They  will  be  tender-hearted  in- 
spectors of  each  other's  conduct,  meekly  correcting 
errors,  which  unnoticed  would  have  struck  root,  or 
pointing  out  faults  before  they  are  confirmed  into  ha- 
bits. They  will  converse  together  on  the  power,  the 
glory,  the  mightiness  of  God's  kingdom,  to  increase 
their  knowledge  of  his  excellency,  and  love  of  his 
name.  They  will  prompt  each  other  to  holy  vigi- 
lance, and  a  diligent  care  and  labour  to  please  God, 
and  encourage  that  sort  of  acquaintance  and  inti- 
mates, whose  principles,  sentiments,  and  tempers, 
are  animating  and  exemplary.  As  the  nuptial  union 
gives  the  parties  much  influence  to  be  either  greatly 
serviceable  or  hurtful  to  each  other's  eternal  inter- 
ests, they  must  look  upon  themselves  as  bound  in 
conscience  to  use  all  their  weight  against  the  corrup- 
tions of  the  heart,  against  pride,  unbelief,  and  worldly 
lusts,  through  vv^hich  their  salvation  is  most  endan- 
gered. 

Thus,  v/ith  unspeakable  advantage.  Christian 
husbands  and  wives  prove  the  spiritual  nature  of 
their  conjugal  affection :  sure  to  find  it  equally  con- 
stant in  youth  and  age,  sickness  and  health,  indi- 
gence or  plenty,  lasting  as  their  abode  together,  and 
redounding  to  their  advancement  in  eternal  glory  af 
ter  death. 

True  b'elievers  in  Christ  are  the  only  persons  capa- 
ble of  dwelling  in  the  mutual  exercise  of  such  spirit- 
ual and  permanent  affection  ;  since  they  only  confess 
their  inna-e  depravity,  and,  under  an  humbling  sense 
of  their  vileaess,  use   with  success  the  means  of 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  259 

gFace.  They  know  how  to  persevere  in  importunate 
prayer  for  the  remission  of  each  other's  sins,  for 
daily  supplies  of  strength  against  temptations,  and 
help  under  various  infirmities.  These  their  devout 
sentiments  and  practices  prove  a  fruitful  source  of 
mutual  endearment ;  they  forcibly  impress  upon 
them  both  the  idea  that  they  are  connected  by  no- 
bler ties  than  those  of  wedlock,  that  they  are  chil- 
dren of  one  heavenly  Father,  servants  of  one  graci- 
ous Lord,  members  of  his  body,  and  heirs  together 
of  the  grace  of  life. 

A  full  persuasion  of  a  common  interest  in  such 
inestimable  privileges  is  of  powerful  influence  to 
unite  even  strangers  to  each  other,  at  first  view,  in 
the  bonds  of  friendship  ;  and  can  instantly  create  de- 
light in  each  other's  company  and  welfare.  Judge 
then  the  efficacy  of  this  knowledge,  when  increased 
and  enlivened  by  daily  prayer.  It  is  a  prevention  of 
indifference  to  each  other,  and  both  persuades  and 
inclines  to  love  fervently. 

We  may  observe  also,  that  satiety  often  proves  the 
bane  of  conjugal  affection.  The  parties  grow  insipid 
to  each  other  upon  more  acquaintance  ;  the  husband 
becomes  more  reserved,  or  the  u  ife  loses  her  vivaci- 
ty ;  in  either  case  they  are  weary  of  each  other.  But 
the  spiritual  life  of  believers  in  Jesus  prevents  this 
satiety.  An  infinite  grandeur  in  the  objects  of  their 
common  fliith,  the  importance  of  their  nuptial  union 
with  respect  to  them,  joined  to  mutual  desire  of  ob- 
taining salvation,  will  not  suffer  that  stagnation  to 
take  place  in  the  married  state,  which  otherwise  fre- 
quently follows. 

Further,  strife  and  contention  often  first  cool, 
and  then  destroy  conjugal  aftcction ;  but  the  de- 
vout exercises,  in  which  real  Christians  constantly 
engage,  effectually  prevent  this  melaiicholy  estrange- 
ment from  each  other.     Should  variance  in  anv  de- 


260  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

gree  arise,  they  are  checked,  they  are  sharply  up- 
braided in  their  own  coiibciences  ;  they  have  both 
offended  and  grieved  their  best  friend :  Before  his 
throne  of  grace  they  are  to  appear,  where  they  la- 
ment their  failings,  and  beg  their  trespasses  may  not 
bt  imputed,  but  forgiven,  as  they  forgive  every  of- 
fence against  themselves  :  Hence  they  find  it  easy  to 
make  merciful  allowances  to  each  other  :  to  divide 
the  blame,  instead  of  placing  it  all  to  one  side,  as 
pride  and  self-will  prompt  men  to  do,  thus  inflaming 
the  quarrel.  With  unfeigned  self-abasement  they 
will  confess  their  depravity,  from  which  they  are  so 
read\  to  kindle  into  rage,  where  Christian  patience 
would  scarcely  be  moved.  By  these  concessions, 
contention  ceases  soon,  and  from  mutual  self-con- 
demnation arises  a  desire  of  greater  vigilance  to 
guard  against  passion,  and  more  earnest  prayer  to 
be  kept  for  the  future  in  harmony  and  love. 

Though  the  vehement  fondness,  therefore,  for 
each  other,  which  usually  precedes  the  nuptial 
union,  and  flourishes  for  a  time  after  it,  may  wear 
off,  yet  the  married  pair,  who,  in  the  scripture- 
phrase,  are  joined  together  in  the  Lord,  may  be 
sure  a  solid  tender  affection  will  ever  remain  ;  an  af- 
fection true  and  refined,  sufficient  to  produce  sub^ 
stantial  comfort,  and  ripening  more  and  more  as  they 
improve  themselves  in  every  divine  attainment. 

Besides  mutual  fidelity  and  love,  the  common 
duty  of  both  parties  in  the  conjugal  state,  there  are 
some  offices  peculiar  to  the  husband,  others  to  the 
wife  ;  and  the  conscientious  discharge  of  these  res- 
pectively will  be  strictly  regarded  by  the  faithful  in 
Christ  Jesus. 

The  husband's  peculiar  province  is  to  govern : 
"  For  the  husband  is  the  head  of  the  wife,  even  as 
Christ  is  the  head  of  the  church,"  Ephes.  v.  When 
the  husband,  therefore,  ceases  to  preside,  giving  up 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  26i 

his  authority  to  the  wife,  he  transgresses  no  less  than 
a  military  officer,  who  should  surrender  the  honour  of 
his  command  to  the  impertinent  intrusion  of  his  in- 
ferior. But  then  as  the  head  hath  no  interest  distinct 
from  the  other  parts  of  the  body,  nor  any  advantage 
over  them  (unless  the  care  of  direction,  and  providing 
for  them  be  one),  so  the  husband  has  no  interest  se- 
parate from  his  wife.  The  authority  intrusted  in  his 
hands  by  our  God  is  designed  for  the  direction  and 
welfare  of  the  wife  ;  it  never,  therefore,  can  be  exer- 
cised by  a  husband  wiio  fears  God,  but  to  this  excel- 
lent end.  Never  with  ar  bitrary  dominion,  as  tyrants 
rule  slaves ;  but  with  such  a  benign  influence,  as  the 
soul  exerts  over  the  body  :  for  the  command  to  the 
Christian  church  is,  *'  So  ought  husbands  to  love 
their  wives,  even  as  their  own  bodies.  He  that  lov- 
eth  his  wife,  loveth  himself,  for  no  man  ever  yet  hat- 
ed his  own  flesh,  but  loveth  it,  and  nourisheth  it, 
even  as  the  Lord  the  church."  So  that  the  authori- 
ty lodged  with  the  husband,  by  being  managed  ac- 
cording to  the  appomted  order,  instead  of  proving 
burdensome  or  uneasy  to  the  wife,  shall  become  a 
'Source  of  greater  peace  and  good  to  both. 

Another  peculiar  branch  of  the  husbiind's  duty,  is 
to  furnish  his  wife  with  things  necessary  and  con- 
venient, according  to  his  rank  in  life.  He  must  ex- 
press alacrity  in  letting  her  share  the  advantages  he 
possesses,  and  convince  her  he  receives  pleasure  in 
seeing  her  use,  within  the  limits  of  Christian  mode- 
Kation,  his  abundance. 

The  peculiar  duty  of  the  wife,  which  every  real 
Christian  from  conscience  towards  God  will  observe, 
is  to  aid  and  comfort  her  husband  in  the  njidst  of 
his  business  and  labour.  The  good  management 
of  a  family  is  a  thing  quite  diflfercnt  from  making 
provision  for  it.  The  former,  in  general,  depends 
chiefly  upon  the  wife  ;  the  latter  is  the  husband't? 


2^3  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

province.  In  this  manner  the  labours  of  life  are  di- 
vided  ;  and  if  either  neglect  their  respective  duty, 
much  loss  and  confusion  will  follow,  which  marriage 
was  designed  to  prevent. 

A  Christian  wife,  therefore,  will  not  conform  to 
corrupt  custom,  and  affect  to  be  above  the  care  of 
her  family,  as  if  she  was  m.ade  only  to  dress,  visit, 
©r,  like  a  picture,  be  admired.  She  will  look  well 
to  the  ways  of  her  household,  and  not  eat  the  bread 
•f  idleness.  She  will  give  her  husband  a  solid  testi- 
mony of  her  affection  for  him,  by  being  careful  to 
see  his  income,  or  the  fruit  of  his  labour,  is  not  ex- 
travagantly consumed  for  want  of  female  inspection 
at  home. 

A  second  instance  of  duty  peculear  to  the  wife, 
is  obedience  to  her  husband.  When  our  common 
mother  sinned  through  vain  desire  of  being  as  the 
gods,  she  not  only  failed  of  the  very  end  at  which 
she  aimed,  but  her  proud  desire  of  preeminence  was 
made  a  reason  of  degrading  her.  *'  And  thy  desire 
shall  be  to  thy  husband,  and  he  shall  rule  over  ihce," 
Gen.  iii.  Whenever,  therefore,  the  wife  affects  to 
rule,  or  refuses  to  submit  to  the  authority  of  her 
husband,  she  resists  the  ordinance  of  God  ;  she  ex- 
alts herself,  in  contempt  of  the  divine  decree  pub- 
lished immediately  after  F.ve's  transgression,  and 
confirmed  again  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  "  As  the 
church  is  subject  to  Christ"  (acknowledging  and  sub- 
mitting to  b.is  authority,  tliough  contrary  to  natural 
inclination),  "  so  let  tlie  wives  be  to  their  own  hus- 
bands in  every  thing."  In  every  instance,  where 
the  command  of  the  husband  does  not  contradict  the 
command  of  God,  the  wife  is  obliged  to  comply,  and 
Vvithout  a  murmiUr  give  up  her  own  will. 

If  it  be  urged,  that  tlie  wife  has  frequently  more 
understanding  and  ability  to  govern  than  the  lius- 
band,  and  on  this  account  ought  to  be  excused  from 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  263 

living  in  subjection,  the  answer  is  obvious  :  she  hath 
liberty  to  use  her  superior  wisdom  in  giving  counsel , 
and  producing  such  reasons  as  are  proper  to  correct 
a  mistaken  judgment.  But  if  her  advice  is  not  ac- 
cepted, subjection  is  her  duty  ;  for  if  more  than 
to  <i:ive  advice  was  ailow^ed  on  account  of  o-reater 
wisdom,  authority  would  then  be  founded  on  supe- 
riority of  understanding  ;  a  notion  big  with  confu- 
sion. For  suppose  a  servant,  as  is  often  the  fact, 
endued  with  more  capacity,  and  grace  too,  than  his 
master,  would  it  not  be  insufferable  insolence,  should 
he  urge  this  as  a  reason  for  refusing  to  be  any  lonsjer 
imder  control,  which,  on  another  account,  was  in- 
disputably his  duty,  viz.  Jro?7i  his  station  in  life? 
An  attempt,  therefore,  to  gain  the  ascendency  is  an 
attempt  to  subvert  the  order  which  the  sovereign 
Giver  of  all  wisdom  has  appoiiited.  Base  return  for 
4iis  bount)  !  The  Christian  rule  is  positive  against 
such  an  usurping  spirit :  the  command  is,  "  Let  the 
wife  see  that  she  reverence  lier  husband."  In  op- 
position to  natural  pride,  let  her  carefully  check  the 
first  desire  to  have  her  own  will,  and  see  she  be  not 
W'anting  in  submission  ;  for  this  behaviour  is  most 
becoming  a  woman  professing  godliness.  Let  her 
remember  that  God,  the  author  of  the  marriage  state, 
has  appointed  this  subordination. 

Such  are  the  excellent  tempers  which  husbands 
and  wives  must  possess,  and  the  extent  of  tint  duty 
which  they  must  practice. 

It  often  happens  that  one  of  the  parties  is  brought 
to  the  knowledge  of  Christ,  whilst  the  other  remains 
in  unbelief  nnd  bitter  prejudice  against  the  life  and 
power  of  godliness.  In  this  case,  much  of  the  com- 
fort the  nuptial  union  should  produce  must  be  lost. 
Here,  instead  of  assisting  each  other  in  their  noble 
endeavours  to  please  God,  the  believing  husband  or 
wife  will  nnd  a  severe  cross  in  the  idle  discourse, 


364  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

vain  company,  and  low  pursuits  in  which  the  un- 
believing party  can  only  take  pleasure.  Yet,  in  this 
trying  situation,  the  power  of  faith  will  display  itself 
to  great  advantage  ;  it  will  produce  an  invincible 
meekness,  and  a  patient  expectation  in  love,  that 
God  peradventure  may  give  repentance,  to  the  ac- 
knowledgment of  the  truth.  It  will  excite  to  greater 
circumspection  in  behaviour,  that  the  mind  disaffect- 
ed to  the  truth  and  service  of  God  may  be  won  over; 
it  will  excite  frequent  and  earnest  prayer,  that,  being 
already  united  bv  wedlock,  they  may  become  also 
one  spirit  in  the  Lord ;  a  prayer  frequently  answered. 


SUNDAY  XXXVI. 

CHAP.  XXXVI. 

The  natural  Duty  of  Parents  and  Children. 

1  HE  nearest  connexion,  after  the  nuptial  unioii, 
and  often  springing  from  it,  is  that  between  parents 
and  their  children.  From  this  relation,  parents  are 
indispensably  obliged  to  provide  for  their  eternal 
welfare.  And  all  real  Christians  will  give  great 
attention  to  this  matter.  They  are  required  to  do 
so.  "  These  words,"  saith  the  Lord,  *'  which  1  com- 
mand thee  this  day,  shall  be  in  thine  heart,  and  thou 
shalt  teach  them  diligently  unto  thy  children,  and 
shalt  talk  of  them  when  thou  sittest  in  thy  house, 
and  when  thou  walkest  by  the  way,  and  when  thou 
liest  down,  and  when  thou  risest  up,  Deut.  v'l.  God 
established  a  testimony  in  Jacob,  and  appointed  a 
law  in  Israel,  which  he  commanded  our  fathers  that 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  265 

they  should  make  them  known  to  their  children,  that 
the  generation  to  come  might  know  them,  even  the 
children  which  should  be  born ;  who  should  arise 
and  declare  them  to  their  children,  that  they  might 
set  their  hope  in  God,  and  not  forget  the  works  of 
God,  but  keep  his  commandments."  Thus  em- 
phatically does  scripture  enjoin  parents  to  bring  up 
their  children  "  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the 
Lord,"  as  the  grand  means  of  preserving  the  know- 
ledge of  God,  his  works,  and  truth,  amongst  men. 

This  injunction  is  solemnly  acknowledged  by  the 
covenant  into  which  Christians  enter  their  children, 
almost  as  soon  as  they  are  born.  In  the  ordinance 
of  baptism,  they  vow  to  educate  them  in  the  service, 
and  for  the  honour  of  their  Maker  and  Redeemer  ; 
or,  if  they  do  not  answer  in  person  for  their  children, 
they  choose  friends  who  solemnly  engage  to  join  with 
them  in  seeing  their  children  properly  instructed ; 
and  by  negligence  in  doing  this  duty,  a  religious 
rite,  which  undoubtedly  claims  God  our  Saviour 
for  its  author,  is  turned  into  a  worthless  ceremony. 

Natural  affection  also  must  influence  to  take  much 
pains  for  the  salvation  of  their  children.  They  know 
the  worth  of  the  immortal  soul,  otherwise  they  are 
not  Christians,  but  infidels.  If  then  they  neglect 
the  cultivation  of  its  faculties,  desirous  only  to  pro- 
vide a  temporal  subsistence,  their  affection  is  not 
rational  or  Christian  ;  it  is  no  higher  than  bears  and 
wolves  feel  for  their  young.  A  rational,  a  Christian 
love  for  their  children,  dictates  such  sentiments  as 
follow.  These  tender  plants,  sprung  from  our- 
selves, possess  capacities  of  knowing,  serving,  lov- 
ing God,  and  enjoying  the  vision  of  him  for  ever. 
If  their  capacities  are  not  improved  to  this  high- 
est end,  their  existence,  instead  of  a  blessing,  will 
turn  out  an  insupportable  curse.  Our  love  for  them 
makes  us  think  no  pains  or  cost  too  great  to  heal 

K  K 


26S  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

them  when  sick,  and  provide  for  their  present  weh^ 
being.  But  what  avails  it  to  secure  them  (were  we 
able)  from  the  transient  evils  of  sickness,  pain,  and 
poverty,  if  woes  of  endless  duration  are  to  be  their 
final  portion  ?  What  avails  the  most  ardent  aftec- 
tion,  which  reaches  only  to  the  mortal  part,  if  all  that 
lieth  in  our  power  is  not  done,  that,  after  passing 
through  the  present  short- lived  scene,  they  may 
enter  eternity  in  the  favour  of  God  ? 

Where  there  is  any  conviction  of  the  certainty  of 
the  world  to  come,  a  small  degree  of  natural  affec- 
tion v/iil  powerfully  and  constantly  suggest  thoughts 
of  this  kind,  and  be  followed  with  correspondent 
care  in  the  education  of  their  offspring.  But  all 
Christian  parents  clearly  see  the  realities  of  the  eter- 
nal world  ,  they  strongly  feel  their  unspeakable  im- 
portance ;  and  such  love  have  they  to  God  and  man, 
that,  was  their  power  equal  to  their  kind  regards, 
there  should  not  remain  upon  the  earth  one  rebel 
against  his  Maker.  They  are  grieved  to  see  any 
perishing,  whilst  Jesus,  mighty  to  save,  and  merci- 
ful to  pardon,  is  ready  to  receive,  with  open  arms, 
all  who  will  come  to  him  for  life. 

With  what  stronger  force  must  this  benevolent 
spirit  work  toward  their  own  offspring !  How  ac- 
tive must  they  be  to  secure  their  spiritual  welfare, 
which,  from  paternal  love,  must  be  their  chief  con- 
cern^ 

Besides,  it  is  the  duty  of  parents,  in  the  first 
place,  to  teach  their  children  the  knowledge  of  God 
and  his  word,  because  they  have  the  charge  of 
forming  them,  while  they  are  in  the  fittest  state  to 
receive  and  to  retain  good  impressions.  Should  they 
neglect  this  noble  opportunity  of  seasoning  their 
minds  with  the  truth  of  divine  revelation,  so  profita- 
ble  to  all  men,  everv  future  method  of  instruction, 
or  means  of  grace,  will  in  general  fail  of  having  st 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  ^267 

good  eft'ect.  For  children  very  soon  and  naturally 
conclude,  that  what  their  parents  never  mention,  or 
earnestly  inculcate,  can  be  of  little  advantage  to  Them. 
If  they  have  never  been  taught  to  consider  the  glori- 
ous majesty  of  God,  the  absolute  dependence  of 
every  living  thing  upon  him,  his  rich  bounty  and 
mercies  towards  us  all,  they  will  attend  public  wor- 
ship in  as  much  ignorance  as  Pagans  bow  down  be- 
fore their  dumb  idols  ;  and  wdth  an  offensive  levity 
and  proflineness,  which  Pagans  do  not.  What 
mere  babbling  also  must  their  prayers  in  secret  be 
(if  they  are  directed  to  pray  at  all),  since  they  have 
never  been  instructed  in  the  nature  of  sin,  or  the 
worth  of  the  soul ;  never  been  taught  to  observe  how 
great  is  human  weakness  and  depravity,  on  which 
the  need  of  prayer  and  divine  grace  are  founded  ? 
What  an  invincible  obstacle,  humanly  speaking, 
must  be  found  in  the  hearts  of  young  people  against 
receiving  the  gospel,  where  natural  ignorance,  pride, 
self-will,  and  unbelief,  have  been  suffered  to  strength- 
en, by  their  parents'  criminal  neglect  ?  Nay,  even 
afflictions  and  misfortunes  in  the  family,  the  death  of 
dear  relations  or  intimate  friends,  generally  lose  their 
effect,  where  no  care  has  been  taken  in  the  educa- 
tion of  children.  These  awakening  calls,  sent  from 
God  to  lead  men  to  repentance,  and  to  consider  their 
transgressions,  wherein  they  have  exceeded,  make 
no  useful  impression  on  minds  never  accustomed  to 
advert  to  God  their  Maker,  Governor,  and  Judge. 
It  is  true,  (adored  be  his  free  grace,  and  the  pow- 
er of  his  spirit),  some  children  utterly  neglected,  and 
even  depraved  to  the  last  degree  by  their  wicked 
parents,  are  daily  brought  to  the  knowledge  of 
Christ.  Nevertheless,  the  prevalence  of  open  pro- 
faneness,  and  of  senseless  formality  in  religion,  may 
be  traced  up,  as  to  its  springs,  in  parents  utterly 
neglecting  their  children,  and  must  be  answered  for 


268  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

by  them.  This  suggests  another  motive,  which 
should  engage  the  study  and  labour  of  parents  in 
promoting  the  salvation  of  their  children.  The 
Lord  God  takes  particular  notice  of  their  behaviour 
in  this  matter.  Hear  the  high  commendation  of 
Abraham,  the  father  of  the  faithful,  and  the  friend  of 
God.  "  The  Lord  said,  Shall  I  hide  from  Abraham 
the  thing  which  I  do,  seeing  that  Abraham  shall 
surely  become  a  great  and  mighty  nation,  and  all 
the  nations  of  the  earth  shall  be  blessed  in  him  ? 
For  I  know  him,  that  he  will  command  his  children 
and  his  household  after  him."  There  were  many 
shining  excellencies  in  his  character  ;  but  God  se- 
lects that  in  which  he  took  peculiar  delight,  naming 
it,  together  with  a  repeated  promise  of  Christ, 
"  That  Abraham  would,  above  all  things,  regard 
the  religious  education  of  his  children,  and  the 
honour  of  God  in  bringing  them  up  for  his  service." 
On  the  other  hand  ,  how  very  awful  is  the  scrip- 
ture account  of  the  indignation  God  manifests 
against  parents  who  neglect  their  children.  Though 
JEli  was  not  without  the  knowledge  and  fear  of  God 
in  some  measure  himself;  yet,  because  his  sons 
made  themselves  vile,  and  he  restrained  them  not ; 
only  mildly  reproving,  when  he  should  have  rebuk- 
ed with  all  authority  and  severity  ;  only  expressing 
disapprobation,  when  he  should  have  warned  them 
at  their  peril  to  persist  in  their  evil  ways,  and,  upon 
their  obstinate  refusal  to  obey,  have  executed  upon 
them  the  law  :  for  this  crime,  he  is  first  branded  as 
an  accessary  in  their  iniquity,  ''as  kicking  at  the 
sacrifice  of  God,  and  honouring  his  sons  above 
him."  Then  a  terrible  doom  is  denounced  upon 
his  family  ;  they  are  to  be  degraded  from  their  most 
honourable  office ;  they  are  to  be  cut  off  from  the 
altar,  and  the  iniquity  of  his  house  is  never  to  be 
purged.     *'  From  them  that  honour  me,"  saith  the 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  269 

Lord,  "  I  will  honour,  and  they  that  despise  me 
shaU  be  lig^htly  esteemed." 

From  this  afFceting  contrast  in  the  characters  of 
Abraliam  and  of  Eli,  judge  how  much  parents  are 
concerned  diligently  to  train  up  their  children  in  the 
knowledge  ot  God. 

Farther,  the  condition  in  which  they  are  born 
lays  a  strong  obligation  upon  parents  to  do  all  in  their 
power  to  promote  their  salvation.  What  compas- 
sion is  due  to  them  !  They  are  born  wholly  dis- 
tempered. Do  not  you  see  how  much  grief,  anger, 
and  vexation  they  feel,  even  in  their  childhood,  from 
natural  stubbornness,  passion,  envy,  pride,  and  sel- 
fishness? Do  you  not  know  what  these  disorders 
portend  ;  what  greater  troubles  and  severer  coniiicts 
await  them  ;  what  frequent  and  more  cutting  vexa- 
tions they  are  to  meet  with,  unless  these  violent  and 
baleful  passions  are  subdued?  Are  you  not  conscious 
that  the  lattent  seeds  of  various  lust  in  their  hearts 
will  by  time  and  occasion  grow  up,  ripen,  and 
bring  forth  in  abundance  every  evil  work,  unless 
preventive  methods  are,  in  childhood,  seasonably 
applied  by  those  who  have  authority  over  them  ? 
Can  you  consider  all  this,  and  neglect  to  bring  them, 
in  the  arms  of  faith  and  prayer,  to  the  physician  of 
the  soul  ?  Can  you  be  satisfied,  nature  should  have 
its  course  without  discipline,  without  laying  salutary 
restraints  upon  them,  without  repeating  to  them  a 
thousand  times,  in  all  affection  and  earnestness,  how 
much  they  need,  and  ought  to  seek,  his  power  and 
grace,  who  came  to  save  the  lost  ? 

Was  a  parent  to  desert  his  child  in  a  wilderness 
infested  with  ravenous  beasts,  or  full  of  covered  pits, 
when  his  presence,  counsel,  and  experience  might 
have  given  protection,  would  not  his  barbarity 
shock  every  humane  mind  ?  But  do  }  ou,  O  parent, 
act  in  a  more  tender  manner,  who  leave  your  child 


270  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

to  walk  through  a  world  full  of  enticing  objects, 
smiling  only  to  enslave,  and  where  subtle  malicious 
foes  lie  in  ambush  to  destroy  ?  To  pass  through 
such  a  world,  without  the  light  of  faith,  the  defence 
of  God,  the  influence  of  his  Spirit ;  ignorance  of  the 
foundation  of  justice,  truth,  sobriety,  chastity,  and 
a  Christian  life  ;  in  what  strength  they  must  be  j^rac- 
tised  ;  why  so  absolutely  required,  and  what  irre- 
parable loss  follows  the  violation  of  these  duties  to 
the  last.  A  young  man  or  woman  entering  upon  the 
stage  of  life,  in  ignorance  of  these  things,  is  as  a 
child  deserted  by  its  unnatural  parent  in  the  howling 
desert,  and  not  more  likely  to  escape  destruction. 

Again,  was  you,  O  parent,  to  abandon  your  child 
to  poverty,  or  see  him  hastening  to  a  jail,  and  an  in- 
famous death,  yet  use  no  pains  to  reclaim  him  from 
his  courses,  how  could  you  excuse  your  conduct  ? 
Be  not  deceived ;  you  are  doing  so  in  effect,  whilst 
you  despise  their  souls,  and  neglect  deeply  to  impress 
them  with  a  sense  of  their  duty.  For  go  now,  and 
ask  confined  debtors  what  deprived  diem  of  sweet 
liberty,  their  family  and  society  of  their  labours  (a 
few  cases  only  excepted),  the  answer  from  that  place 
of  wretchedness  would  be  this  :  No  cruel  rigour  of 
our  creditors,  or  losses  unavoidable,  but  headstrong 
passions,  unchecked  by  the  fear  of  God,  which  was 
never  instilled  in  our  childhood,  brought  us  to  this 
shameful  house  of  our  prison.  Our  parents  were 
first  accessary  to  our  ruin.  Some  of  them  have  liv- 
ed to  see  it,  and  been  tortured  by  self- accusation  on 
our  account.  Amidst  all  other  instances  of  their 
love  for  us,  the  grand  one  was  still  wanting ;  they 
took  no  pains  to  give  conscience  authority,  by  teach- 
ing us  God's  v/ork.  This  would  have  made  us 
tremble  at  those  sins,  which  have  destroyed  our 
peace,  our  character,  our  substance,  and  leave  us 
no  hope  of  a  better  condition  in  the  world  to  come, 
than  v/e  have  in  this. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  %i\ 

Consider,  O  parents,  with  yourselves,  how  would 
you  be  able  to  bear  such  a  charge  from  them,  who 
wcvG  intrusted  of  God  to  your  care,  that  you  might 
early  instil  into  their  minds  the  principles  of  the 
Christian  faith,  and  guide  them  into  the  paths  of 
righteousness* 

But  should  there  be  parents  so  hardened  in  pro- 
fane principles,  as  not  to  regard  what  becomes  of 
their  offspring  after  death,  provided  they  prosper 
in  this  world,  let  them  hear  once  more  (whether 
they  will  believe  it  or  no),  the  day  is  coming,  when 
they  must  see  their  relation  to  their  children  was  con- 
stituted for  much  higher  ends  than  to  secure  them 
any  worldly  advantages,  or  to  keep  them  from  pov- 
erty and  want.  Then,  what  agony  will  be  ftlt,  when 
children  call  out  for  justice  on  their  infidel  parents, 
imputing,  in  some  measure,  to  their  cruelty,  the 
everlasting  miseries  which  are  come  upon  them? 
They  kept  the  dreadful  danger  out  of  sight,  they 
suffered  their  passions  to  rule,  they  joined  in  extoll- 
ing pleasure,  riches,  honour,  and  power;  but  never 
exposed  the  mischief,  infamy,  and  ruin,  inseparable 
from  obstinate  disobedience  to  God.  How  insuf- 
ferable the  anguish,  when  children,  with  bitter 
imprecations,  will  rage  against  the  \r  father  and  mo- 
ther, and  curse  the  day  in  which  they  were  born  to 
them  ;  born  finally  to  aggravate  their  misery,  by 
perishing  all  together ! 

The  united  force  of  these  various  obligations  and 
heart-affecting  considerations  should  make  all  Chris- 
tian parents  do  what  lies  in  their  power  to  prepare 
their  offspring  to  receive  the  truth  of  God,  in  the  use 
of  those  methods  on  which  they  may  expect  his 
blessing. 


272  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

SUNDAY  XXXVII. 

CHAP.  XXXVII. 

The  same  Subject  continued. 


1  HE  duty  of  all  Christian  parents  to  instruct  their 
children  in  the  knowledge  of  God  has  been  laid  be- 
fore you.  But  as  the  capacities  of  men  differ  no 
less  than  their  condition,  it  is  accordingly  the  duty 
of  some,  and  what  will  undoubtedly  be  required  at 
their  hands,  to  bestow  more  time  and  pains  on  this 
matter  than  others  are  capable  of  doing,  though  ever 
so  desirous. 

Poor  people  will  discharge  their  duty  to  their  chil- 
dren by  correcting  them,  from  their  infancy,  for 
stubbornness  and  quarrelling,  for  lying,  using  bad 
words,  for  pilfering  in  the  least  degree,  and  for  every 
mark  of  a  cruel  disposition  ;  by  frequently  telling 
them,  it  is  a  good  and  gracious  God  who  gives  their 
parents  strength  to  earn  food  for  them  ;  that  his  eyes 
are  in  every  place,  beholding  the  evil  and  the  good, 
that  he  may  give  to  every  one  according  to  his  do- 
ings, when  he  shall  judge  the  world ;  that  this  glori- 
ous God  will  ever  love,  bless,  and  comfort  those 
who  fear  and  love  him,  and  their  fellow  creatures ;  but 
will  punish,  with  inconceivable  pains,  all  the  ungod- 
ly, for  doing  the  things,  and  living  in  the  tempers, 
which  he  hates,  and  hath  forbidden. 

Every  poor  day-labourer,  who  loves  God,  has  it 
farther  in  his  power  to  teach  his  children  to  pray  morn- 
ing and  evening;  to  tell  them  the  Bible  is  the  word 
of  God,  v/hich  must  judge  them,  and  all  Christians, 
and  which  tlicy  must  obey  and  love  ;  to  carry  them 
to  church  on  the  Lord's  day,  and  keep  them  from 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  273 

profaning  it.  When  these  things  are  enforced  by 
good  example,  there  is  litde  doubt  but  the  children 
of  the  poor  will,  in  general,  be  much  restrained ; 
they  will  have  a  conscience  well  informed,  and  tread 
in  the  steps  of  their  poor,  but  right  honourable  pa- 
rents  ;  and  where  so  little  time  can  be  spared  from 
hard  and  continual  labour,  and  the  understanding  be 
so  little  improved,  this,  1  apprehend,  may  be  es- 
teemed  a  full  discharge  of  their  duty  towards  their 
children,  whilst  they  are  very  young. 

When  years  have  ripened  their  minds,  all  who  be. 
lieve  in  Jesus,  however  poor,  will  be  able  to  enlarge 
their  instructions  which  they  give  to  them :  they 
will  assure  them,  their  own  consciences  never  were 
purged  from  guilt,  till  they  depended  on  the  atone, 
ment  made  on  the  cross,  and  pleaded  that  alone  for 
their  pardon  before  God ;  that  they  have  obtained 
victory  over  their  own  wickedness,  and  violent  tem- 
pers, in  his  strength  and  power ;  that  they  have  been 
preserved  in  much  peace  from  worldly  fears  and 
anxiety  for  their  bread,  by  seeking,  in  the  first  place, 
the  kmgdom  of  God,  and  his  righteousness,  and  by 
casting  all  their  care  upon  him. 

In  the   middle  ranks  of  life,  a  better  education 
qualifies  parents  to  go  much  beyond  the  poor  in  this 
important  matter.     Such  persons,  therefore,  must 
not  only  use  the  methods  of  instruction  above  men. 
tioned  to  form  in  their  children  a  love  for  truth,  jus- 
tice,  and  mercy,  a  desire  to  serve  and  please  God, 
but  study  to  make  divine  knowledge    pleasant   to 
them.     This   may  be  done  with  great  success  by 
usmg  not  books  so  much  as  outward  objects  and  par- 
ticular  occurrences,  which  will  give  a  body  and  sub- 
stance to  religious  truths  ;  and,  by  proper  attention, 
a  most  agreeable  variety  of  instances  may  be  chosen, 
which  will  take  in  the  several  grand  branches  of  di- 
vine knowledge. 


I.   L 


274  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN, 

To  explain  my  idea  at  large ;  the  first  thing  in 
which  all  children  should  be  thoroughly  instructed 
is,  that  God  is  good  and  gracious,  and  the  earth  full 
of  his  goodness.  To  imprint  deeply  this  delightful 
truth,  point  out  to  them,  in  the  spring,  the  whole 
country  arrayed  in  beauty,  and  covered  with  the 
bounty  of  God  :  tell  them,  they  art  his  clouds  which 
drop  fatness  ;  that  it  is  his  sun  which  imparts  genial 
warmth  to  make  the  ground  produce  its  fruits ;  that 
he  causeth  the  grass  to  grow  for  the  cattle,  and  herb 
for  the  service  of  man,  and  giveth  bread  to  strength- 
en man's  heart,  and  oil  and  wine  to  make  him  of  a 
cheerful  countenance  :  tell  them,  that  could  they  see 
the  vast  extent  of  divine  goodness,  they  would  see 
innumerable  myriads  in  heaven  above,  in  the  earth 
beneath,  in  the  waters  under  the  earth,  all  sustained 
by  him  alone.  In  autumn,  when  the  fields  are  filled 
with  standing  sheaves  of  corn,  and  trees  bend  un- 
der their  load  of  fruit,  draw  aside  the  veil  of  ignor- 
ance, and  fix  their  attention  upon  God,  the  invisible, 
yet  sole  Author  of  all  the  plenty  around  them. 

In  winter,  frequent  opportunities  occur  of  bring- 
ing the  elements  to  bear  witness  to  their  Maker's 
glory.  When  frost  hardens  the  earth  as  iron,  and 
congeals  the  flowing  stream  into  solid  ice,  shew 
your  children  how  passive  the  whole  creation  lies  in 
the  hand  of  its  Maker.  When  the  intense  cold  is 
distressing,  and  icy  particles,  like  darts,  pain  our 
frail  body,  that  we  are  scarcely  able  to  stand  before 
them,  point  out  the  sudden  change  of  the  scene  ;  in 
an  instant  ''he  bloweth  with  his  wnid,  and  the  wa- 
ters flow  again."  And  when  his  snow  covers  the 
face  of  the  earth,  and  seals  men  up  in  their  dwelling ; 
lead  them  to  observe  how  suddenly  at  his  word  it 
dissolves,  having  answered  the  benevolent  purpose 
for  which  it  was  sent.  Pursuing  the  same  method, 
when  you  have  told  your  children  of  the  exceeding 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAX. 


ii/  J 


f  reat  power  of  God,  and  what  a  dreadful  thing  it  is 
?o  fall  into  his  hands,  repeat  the  sahitary  instruction 
when  his  thunder  has  shaken  your  dwelling,  and  the 
arrows  of  his  Hghtning  have  passed  before  their  eyes, 
or  when  his  tenipestuous  wind  has  left  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood some  traces  of  its  rage.      Then  is  the  time, 
with  a  pleasing,    yet  solemn  air,  to  assure  them  mat 
fire  and  vapour,  snow  and  hciil,  storm  and  tempest, 
wild  as  they  seem  to  us,  move  only  as  God  appoints 
their  course,  with  more  exactness  than  the  bt  st  train- 
ed troops  obey  the  signal  of  their  commander  ;  that 
though  the  earth  should  be  moved,  and  the  hills  be 
carried  into  the  midst  of  the  sea,  the  Lord  of  Hosts 
is  with  his  obedient  people,  the  God  of  Jacob  is 
their  refuge. 

Thus,  by  pointing  out  to  your  children  the  invisi- 
ble God,  working  in  all  these  most  sensible  changes, 
and  furnishing  their  minds  with  sublime  scriptures, 
in  which  he  asserts  his  own  immediate  absolute  do- 
minion over  fire  and  water,  earth  and  air,  men  and 
angels,  you   will  make  his  creation  the  great  book 
of  instruction.     By    this  method  of  teaching,  the 
truth  has  a  body  and  a  substance.     And  though  they 
would  feel  it  an  irksome  task  to  get  a  catechism  by 
heart,  and  would  yawn  over  a  mere  lesson  in  divi- 
nity, they  will  clearly  apprehend,  and  hear  with  en- 
tertainment, a  description  of  the  wisdom,  power,  and 
goodness  of  God,    exemplified  before  their  eyes. 
Lectures  of  this  kind,  repeated  not  too  frequently, 
(lest  they  should  surfeit  children,  a  thing  greatly  to 
be    guarded  against),    but    at    such    intervals    as 
these    various   appearances    occur,  will  early   form 
your  children  to  adore  their  great  Creator,  and  im- 
press them  with  a  sense  of  his  presence  and  agency 
in  every  place.     Thus,  in  the  most  rational  manner, 
and  in  obedience  to  your  Maker's  command,  you 
will  talk  of  him,  and' his  works,  and  truth,  ''  when 


276  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

you  go  out,  and  when  you  come  in,  when  you  sit 
down,  and  when  you  rise  up." 

Another  truth,  early  and  often  to  be  inculcated, 
which  young  children  are  able  to  understand,  and 
will  feel,  is,  that  sleep,  health,  and  strength,  are  the 
gifts  of  God.  And  this  you  will  make  indisputable, 
by  taking  an  opportunity  of  carrying  them  to  the 
bedside  of  a  brother,  sister,  or  playmate,  when  sick 
and  in  pain.  Immediately  after  the  visit,  tell  them 
you  waited  for  this  opportunity  to  convince  them  of 
the  truth  they  have  been  taught,  that  it  is  God  who 
maketh  sick  and  maketh  well.  This  instruction  will 
have  more  weight,  upon  their  own  recovery  from 
languishing  disease  and  pain,  to  the  enjoyment  of 
health  and  strength. 

It  is  no  less  useful  to  teach  children  that  life  and 
death  are,  like  sickness  and  pain,  the  appointment  of 
God.  The  time  to  realize  this  truth  is,  when  the 
awful  report  is  just  brought  to  their  ears,  that  a  ser- 
vant, friend,  or  neighbour,  well  known  to  your  chil- 
dren, is  dead.  Then  the  circumstances  of  the  deceas- 
ed immediately  before  death,  the  advice  of  physicians 
without  any  benefit,  the  grief  of  friends  and  rela- 
tions, are  all  to  be  urged  as  sensible  proofs  that  God 
taketh  away  our  breath  in  infancy,  youth,  or  riper 
years,  just  as  he  sees  fit,  and  that  none  can  deliver 
put  of  his  hands. 

At  the  same  time,  you  should  be  mindful  to  tell 
your  children  what  the  news  they  have  heard,  Such 
a  one  is  dead^  means.  Then  assure  them,  that  to 
die  is  to  pass  out  of  a  changing  world  into  one  un- 
changeable, to  be  happy  or  miserable  in  a  degree  in- 
conceivable, according  to  what  the  deceased  has  been 
and  done ;  that  to  the  unbelieving,  proud,  and 
wicked,  whether  rich  or  poor,  kings  or  beggars, 
death  is  the  beginning  of  sorrows  ;  but  to  every  one 
who  has  lived  and  believed  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  277 

it  is  the  translation  of  the  soul  to  the  perfection  of 
holiness  and  joy  for  ever  more. 

Should  it  please  God  to  bring  your  own  children 
into  apparent  dane^er  of  death,  yet  spare  them,  you 
must  not  omit  telling  them  how  you  felt  their  pain, 
and  hung  over  their  bed  vvith  tears,  but  could  give 
them  no  relief;  how  you  made  your  prayer  to  God, 
by  whose  power  alone  they  were  healed  :  Or  should 
either  of  you,  their  parents,  be  brought  back  from 
the  borders  of  the  grave  to  embrace  your  offspring, 
then  is  the  season  to  impress  their  minds  with  a  con- 
viction, that  the  Lord  of  life  and  death  hath  recover- 
ed you  in  tender  mercy,  to  be  still  the  guide  of  their 
youth,  their  affectionate  counsellor,  and  best  earth- 
ly friends.  This  has  a  powerful  tendency  to  work 
upon  their  gratitude,  and  lead  them  to  love  the  name 
of  the  Lord,  who  is  kind  to  them  in  a  matter  so 
greatly  affecting  their  welfare. 


SUNDAY  XXXVIIL 

CHAP.  XXXVIIL 

On  the  Education  of  Children. 

1  HE  methods  of  instruction  pointed  out  above 
should  be  used,  and  the  several  grand  truths  above 
mentioned  should  be  inculcated  by  the  time  they 
have  reached  to  the  age  of  fourteen.  After  this 
period,  they  are  generally  capable  of  perceiving  the 
force  of  the  capital  arguments  upon  which  a  Chris- 
tian life  is  to  be  supported  against  all  opposition 
from  without  or  within.  Now,  their  faculties  are 
able  also  to  receive  those  important  doctrines,  which 


278  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN: 

few  can  understand  before.  It  follows,  therefore, 
that  if  parents  are  spared  till  they  see  their  oifspring 
so  far  advanced,  duty  now  requires  of  them,  and 
they  will  be  exceedingly  criminal,  should  they  neg- 
lect to  inculcate  the  absolute  obligation  lying  upon 
us  to  love  God,  to  delight  in  his  word  and  service  ; 
the  folly,  weakness,  misery,  and  sin  of  peevishness, 
discontent,  passion,  pride,  envy,  revenge,  lewdness, 
or  a  worldly,  selfish,  covetous  spirit. 

By  this  time,  also,  your  children  will  have  com- 
mitted so  many  faults,  have  been  so  often  corrected, 
or  sharply  rebuked  for  them,  and  only  restrained, 
contrary  to  natural  inclination,  from  comm.itting 
more  and  greater,  that  you  will  have  various  and 
strong  proofs  to  convince  them  they  are  totally  cor- 
rupt in  their  nature,  disaffected  to  the  government 
and  will  of  God,  and  full  of  vile  propensities.  Now 
produce  the  scripture  character  of  fallen  man:  ''The 
heart  of  the  sons  of  men  is  full  of  evil,  and  madness 
is  in  their  heart  while  they  live.  We  all  like  sheep 
have  gone  astray,  we  have  turned  every  one  to  his 
own  way." 

To  prove  how  truly  they  and  their  manners  are 
thus  described,  tell  them  what  vigilance,  and  care, 
and  correction,  and  restraint  have  been  used  with 
them  from  their  infancy,  to  conquer  their  innate 
evil,  and  incline  them  to  love  God  and  man.  Then 
appeal  to  their  consciences,  whether  after  all  they  do 
not  find  vile  tempers  ready  to  get  the  mastery,  though 
thev  dare  not  suffer  them  to  break  out,  for  fear  of 
your  displeasure.  Whilst  you  are  thus  unanswer- 
ably proving  their  base  spirit,  you  must  do  it  with 
tender  love,  lest,  by  seeming  to  upbraid,  their  pride 
should  be  inflamed,  and  their  prejudice  increased 
against  the  truth.  And  the  use  you  are  immediately 
to  make  of  this  discovery,  is  to  prove  to  them  the 
q:reat  need  of  a  Redeemer,     For  after  ha\'ing  made 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  279 

it  evident,  as  they  cannot  deny,   that  in  a  thousand 
instances  they  have  done  presumptuously  what  God 
hath  forbidden,  and  taken  pleasure  in  so  doing  ;  after 
proving  the  compUcation  of  folly,  injustice,  ingrati- 
tude, and  rebellion  against  God,  which  has  been  in 
their' conduct ;  they  will  easily  see  the  all-important 
conclusion,  that  it  did  not  become  him,  by  whom 
are  all  things,  and  for  whom  are  all  things,  to  pardon 
such  sinful  creatures,  and  bring  them  to  glory  with- 
out an  atonement,  which  should  remain,  not  only  m 
time,  but   through   all   eternity,  a  demonstration  of 
his  infinite  abhorrence  of  sin,  whilst  he  was  giving 
salvation  to  men  ruined  by  it ;  that  without  shedding 
of  blood  there  could  be  no  remission,  nor  any  other 
way  than  through  Christ  crucified,  for  the  wisdom, 
justice,  and  mercy  of  God,  to  obtain  a  joint  triumph 
in  the  salvation  of  man. 

Now  also  is  the  time  to  explain  to  them  the  great 
things  revealed  in  scripture ;  that  the  Redeemer  is 
God,  though  he  dwelt  amongst  men  in  the  likeness 
of  sinful  flesh,  and  died  on  the  cross,  that  all  who 
believe  in  him  might  be  pardoned,  sanctified,  and 
saved  ;  that  no  morality  or  religion  (where  the  gos- 
pel is  proclaimed)  can  be  acceptable  to  the  Father, 
however  men  extol  it,  which  is  not  practised  in  en- 
tire dependence  upon  Christ  the  Mediator. 

One  point  more  your  children  are  now  very  capa- 
ble of  understanding  from  holy  writ,  viz.  their  m- 
ability,  without  the  grace  of  God,  to  live  as  his  word 
absolutely  requires.  Observe  to  them  how  often 
they  have  broken  their  resolutions,  acted  agamst 
their  strongest  convictions,  been  sorry  for  so  doing, 
strove  earnestly  to  make  themselves  better,  and  yet 
were  constantly  defeated,  still  only  the  more  ^en- 
tangled, vexed,  and  guilty  in  their  own  eyes.  ^  Tell 
them,  this  always  is  and  must  be  the  case  till  the 
Spirit  of  God  is  implored,  and  their  whole  confidence 


230  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

placed  in  his  power  and  influence  :  that  God,  know- 
ing our  weakness,  has  commanded  us  to  ask  and 
seek  for  his  teaching,  guidance,  and  defence.  Desire 
them  to  make  the  experiment ;  to  have  done  with 
placing  any  dependence  on  vows,  promises,  and 
good  resolutions;  to  pray,  as  creatures  without 
strength,  and  utterly  depraved,  for  the  Spirit  of  God; 
and  conclude  with  assuring  them,  that  in  this  very 
manner  you  yourself  make  application  for  power  to 
lead  a  Christian  life,  and  succeed. 

Christian  parents,  who  have  had  a  liberal  educa- 
tion, ought  certainly  to  use  many  other  methods 
with  their  children  when  advancing  towards  man- 
hood, in  order  to  form  their  principles  and  practice 
according  to  the  word  of  God.  At  this  season  of 
life,  it  will  be  of  admirable  use  to  remark  upon  crimi- 
nals doomed  to  an  ignominious  death.  Let  your 
children  often  hear  that  these  enormous  offenders,  in 
general,  were  early  despisers  of  God's  word,  his  Son, 
and  grace  ;  therefore  their  sins  soon  grew  to  an  hor- 
rid size.  Help  them  to  trace  the  gay  pleasure- loving 
young  woman  from  her  first  dislike  of  seriousness 
and  religion,  to  the  loss  of  her  honour,  her  friends, 
and  all  comfort :  till  her  hands  are  imbrued  in  mur- 
dering the  offspring  of  her  lust.  Point  out  to  them 
the  robber,  thief,  perhaps  assassin  in  embryo,  in  the 
youth  of  high  spirit,  infected  with  the  leprosy  of 
lewdness,  a  passion  for  gaming,  or  a  proud  desire 
of  appearing  above  his  equals.  Mark  out  to  them 
the  effects  of  self-will,  from  its  impatience  of  control 
under  tutors  and  parents,  at  last  delivering  up  the 
man  of  sense,  education,  and  fashion,  to  be  hanged 
like  a  dog. 

It  is  incumbent  upon  you,  in  this  alarming  man- 
ner, not  only  to  warn  your  children  against  passion, 
lust,  and  extravagance,  but  to  persuade  them,  those 
©nly  are  safe,  and  kept  from  the  violent  tyranny  of 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  281 

tvery  lust,  who  believe  in  and  call  upon  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  In  full  proof  of  this  truth,  your  know- 
ledge of  the  world  will  put  it  in  your  power  to  name 
to  them  many  examples,  where  fine  parts  are  shame- 
fully abused,  and  shining  abilities  rendered  perni- 
cious in  an  high  degree  by  lewdness,  intemperance, 
or  a  proud  impatient  spirit. 

These  detestable  evils,  be  careful  to  assure  your 
children,  will  generally  prevail  where  Christian  prin- 
ciples are  neglected ;  and  that  the  Bible,  understood 
and  believed,  is  the  only  barrier  against  the  ravages 
which  sin  makes  amongst  men.  This  will  work 
strongly  in  favour  of  true  religion,  and  lead  them 
highly  to  esteem  it,  not  only  as  necessary  to  ever- 
lasting happiness  in  the  next  world,  but  as  our  best 
friend,  and  only  certain  protector  from  evil  and  ruin 
in  this. 

The  last  method  of  instruction  I  shall  mention  of 
equal  use  with  those  above,  is  to  remark  to  vour 
children,  now  capable  of  observation,  the  amiable 
behaviour  of  real  Christians.  I  suppose  you  are  ac- 
quainted with  some  who  justify  their  title  to  this 
glorious  name.  Observe  to  them  the  tranquillity  of 
their  countenance,  and  the  modesty  of  their  manners; 
how  free  they  are  from  passion  and  positiveness, 
ill-natured  wit,  or  conceit  of  any  superiority  in  them- 
selves ;  how  far  from  despising  those  who  are  desti- 
tute of  their  advantages,  either  in  understanding  or 
education,  birth  or  riches ;  how  careful  to  avoid 
giving  pain  or  uneasiness  to  any  in  their  com- 
pany. 

Still  farther  to  exalt  in  their  cy^s  the  present  ines- 
timable value  of  Christian  knowledge,  carry  your 
children  to  see  sincere  Christians  in  the  midst  of 
their  severest  trials,  and  to  hear  the  patient  meek 
sufferers  blessing  God,  under  the  pressure  of  all  their 
troubles.     Their  discourse,  their  very  countenance 

M  V 


232  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

will  edify,  and  convince  them  that  true  greatness  oi 
mind,  and  invincible  courage  in  the  evil  day,  are 
the  precious  fruit  of  unfeigned  faith  in  Christ,  who 
trains  up  all  his  disciples  to  a  cheerful  resignation 
and  absolute  surrender  of  themselves  to  the  holy  will 
of  God. 

And  if  an  opportunity  could  be  found  of  bringing 
your  child  to  the  bedside  of  a  departing  saint,  this 
object  would  infinitely  exceed  the  force  of  simple 
instruction.  Your  child  would  never  forget  the 
composure  and  fortitude,  the  lively  hope  and  conso- 
lation painted  on  the  very  countenance  of  the  Chris- 
tian ;  nor  his  warm  expressions  of  love,  and  grati- 
tude to  the  Saviour,  for  a  heaven  of  peace  within, 
and  assurance  of  pardon,  instead  of  gloomy  thoughts 
and  foreboding  apprehensions,  or  stupid  insensibility 
to  any  future  existence,  the  general  case  of  dying 
men. 

All  persons  of  rank  or  affluence,  of  education  and 
learning,  have  it  in  their  power  to  use  these,  and 
many  other  methods  of  the  same  nature,  for  the  ad- 
vantage of  their  offspring.  And  if  you  know  and 
feel  that  the  favor  of  God  is  incomparably  more  than 
the  praise  of  men,  the  happiness  of  eternity  above 
the  pleasures  of  time,  and  that  there  is  only  one  way 
to  g)ory  marked  out  by  the  word  of  God  ;  in  this 
case  a  constant  attention  to  the  eternal  welfare  of 
your  children  will  be  delightful.  You  will  find  your 
labor  of  love  not  lost ;  you  will  see  considerable  im- 
pressions made  upon  their  minds,  and  in  general 
your  prayers  answered. 

But  if,  instead  of  this  attention,  you  can  take  cus- 
tom and  fashion  for  your  rule,  consuming  your  leis- 
ure hours  in  sensual  gratification,  or  silly  amuse- 
ments, setting  apart  no  time  for  the  education  of 
your  children  in  religious  knowledge  ;  \i  they  hear 
from  you  no  earnest  affectionate  exhortations,  above 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  2«3 

all  things  to  love  God,  and  serve  him  ;  if  they  do 
not  see  you  are  more  concerned  for  their  salvation, 
than  for  their  prosperity  and  advancement  here, 
your  conduct  is  without  excuse  :  your  regard  to 
scripture,  whatever  you  profess,  worthless  and  hy- 
pocritical ;  your  ignorance  of  the  rxcellency  ul  God, 
his  service,  and  the  only  means  of  solid  peace, 
shameful. 

Examine,  therefore,  and  prove  your  faith  by  your 
works.  There  is  scarcely  a  clearer  proof  whom  you 
serve,  God  or  Mammon,  than  this,  the  care  you  take 
for  the  salvation  of  your  children,  or  your  neglect  of 
their  souls. 

Further,  it  is  a  duty  all  parents  owe  their  chil- 
dren, to  inure  them  to  industry,  to  inspire  them  with 
a  contempt  and  abhorrence  of  idleness,  as  the  great 
corrupter  of  the  human  mind,  and  inlet  to  every 
vice-  The  poor  must  strongly  insist  upon  their 
children's  giving  themselves  diligently  to  work,  not 
only  as  necessary  to  get  their  bread,  but  as  the  only 
means  of  keeping  them  from  pilfering  and  theft, 
from  infamy  and  the  gallows.  The  children  of  the 
rich  stand  in  no  less  need  of  being  excited  to  in- 
dustrious application  of  their  time  and  talents.  From 
their  earliest  years  they  should  hear,  it  is  not  wealth, 
a  large  estate,  or  even  nobility  of  birth,  which  can 
preserve  them  from  being  truly  despicable  and  ma- 
lignant to  mankind,  unless  they  take  pains  to  ac- 
quire what  will  improve  the  mind,  and  give  them 
ability  to  perform  the  duty  they  owe  to  society ;  that 
without  love  of  employment  suited  to  their  high  sta- 
tion, they,  like  truant  schcol-boys,  must  seek  men 
as  idle  as  themselves  for  company;  and,  to  kill  time, 
must  be  eager  in  the  chace  after  foolish  amusements, 
not  above  the  size  of  a  little  school-boy's  mind  ;  and 
even  sink  into  all  meanness,  and  the  horrid  wick- 
edne^  of  a  debauched  life^  to  find  in  that  sink  their 


284  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

chief  pleasure.     On  the  contrary,  by  love  of  study 
and  fine  writers,  by  being  active  and  useful,  by  cul- 
tivating their  advantages  of  station,  they  wiil  never 
feel  time  a  burden  on  their  hands.     They  will  be 
independent  on  a  thousand  trifles,  which  agitate  and 
vex  their  equals.     They  will  always  be  doing  good, 
and  be  honorable  in  their  generation.     These  in- 
structions, enforced  by  the  very  conduct  they  incul- 
cate, will  work  mightily  as  an  antidote  to  the  intoxi- 
cating pride  which  wealth  and  grandeur  naturally  in- 
spire.    They  will  readily  then  believe  they  were  not 
born  only  to  please  themselves.   Exemplary  conduct, 
I  say,  must  enforce  these  precepts  ;  for,  if  the  persons 
who   give  them  violate  them   too,  they  can  have 
no  efl:ect,  because  children  must  necessarily  believe 
their  parents  judge  that  to  be  the  way  of  pleasure  and 
happiness  in  which  they  see  them  walk,  because  they 
do  so  out  of  choice  ;  and  if  they  did  not  think  it 
best,  why  should  they  choose  it  ?     As  it  will,  there- 
fore, appear  cruel  in  parents  to  correct  or  reprove 
for  tempers  and  practices  their  children  learn  from 
themselves,    so  it  will  be  absurd  to  expect  precept 
or  reproof  should  profit  them,    when  the  persons 
from  whom   they  come   are   not   under  their   in- 
fluence. 

After  the  welfare  of  the  soul,  and  the  improve- 
ment of  the  mind  have  been  duly  consulted,  one  at- 
tention more  is  necessary  in  parents,  viz.  to  make 
provision  for  their  children,  sufficient,  if  they  can, 
to  enable  them,  by  honest  industry,  or  some  liberal 
profession,  to  support  themselves,  and  be  useful 
members  of  society.  For  what  can  be  more  contra- 
ry to  the  feelings  of  parental  love,  than,  by  idleness 
or  extravagance,  to  expose  their  oflPspring  to  pover- 
ty, or  to  force  them  to  settle  in  a  station  of  life  much 
beneath  that  in  which  they  were  born,  a  cause  fre- 
quently of  much  vexation  to  them,  and  a  bitter  dis- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  285 

appointment  which  few  are  able  to  bear.  But  with 
regard  to  what  may  properly  be  cuiled  a  provision, 
reason,  not  fashion;  the  word  of  God,  not  blind  af- 
fection, must  determine.  When  persons  who  wrre 
born  to  no  estate  amass  vv^ealth  wiih  a  design  to  raise 
their  children  above  the  want  of  any  employment  or 
profession,  scanty  must  be  their  charities,  and  strong 
their  love  of  money.  Yet  so  far  is  opulence  from 
being  anv  jjeal  benefit  to  children,  that  (few  instances 
excepted)  it  proves  a  corrupter  of  their  hearts,  a 
pander  to  their  lusts,  fixing  them  in  habits  of  vanity, 
evtravagance,  and  luxury. 

The  last  duty  1  shall  mention,  which  parents  owe 
to  their  children,  is  to  pray  to  God  for  them  ;  for 
though  the  methods  of  religious  instruction  mention- 
ed have  a  natural  tendency  to  do  much  good,  they 
cannot  of  themselves  convert  the  heart  to  God.  You 
may  take  all  pains  for  this  purpose,  but  still  those 
who  receive  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  are  born  not  of 
blood,  nor  of  flesh,  nor  of  the  will  of  man,  but  of 
God.  Therefore  you  must  humbly  and  earnestly 
pray  to  him  for  success  in  your  attempts,  that,  as  the 
inhabitants  ot  the  world  are  increased  by  your  ofl'- 
spring,  an  addition  may  be  made  by  their  names  to 
the  church  of  the  living  God,  and  the  inhabitants  of 
heaven. 


28^  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

SUNDAY  XXXIX. 

CHAP.  XXXIX. 

The  Duty  of  Children  towards  tlieir  Parents. 

It  is  the  duty  of  children  to  honour  their  parents, 
by  abstaining  from  every  thing  that  may  reasohabljr 
give  them  the  least  offence  or  disquiet.  Young 
people,  who  have  conscience  towards  God,  will  think 
his  command,  "  Honour  thy  father  and  mother," 
worthy  their  strictest  observance,  and  know  that  this 
respect  paid  to  parents  is  well  pleasing  unto  the 
Lord,  and  his  blessing  is  upon  dutiful  children.  On 
the  contrary,  disobedience  to  parents  is  strongly 
marked  as  the  just  object  of  his  displeasure.  For, 
after  forbidding  idolatry,  (a  crime  levelled  directly 
against  his  own  glory),  and  commanding  every  Is- 
raelite to  pronounce  every  idolater  accursed,  the 
self-willed  despiser  of  his  parents  is  held  forth  as  the 
next  object  of  universal  execration  :  ''  Cursed  be 
he  that  setteth  light  by  his  father  and  mother :  and 
all  the  people  shall  say  amen,"  Deut.  xxvii.  And 
in  case  a  son  grown  up  did,  after  advice,  and  entreaty, 
and  command,  withstand  the  authority  of  his  pa- 
rents, they  were  ordered  by  the  Almighty  "  to  lay 
hold  on  him,  and  bring  him  out  unto  the  elders  of 
his  city,  and  unto  the  gate  of  his  place,  and  they 
were  to  say  unto  the  elders  of  his  city.  This  our  son 
is  stubborn  and  rebellious ;  he  will  not  obey  our 
voice  ;  he  is  a  glutton  and  a  drunkard.  And  all  the 
men  of  his  city  shall  stone  him  with  stones,  that  he 
die.  So  shall  thou  put  evil  away  from  among  you, 
and  all  Israel  shall  hear  and  fear,"  Deut.  xxi.  What 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  28r 

a  deep  impression  of  the  guilt  incurred  by  irreverent 
behaviour  from  children  to  their  parents  must  this 
law,  enacted  by  the  Most  High,  make  on  all  who 
fear  him  ?  For  though  it  be  not  executed  noiu  on  the 
stubborn  refractory  son,  it  still  remains  a  decisive 
proof  of  God's  detestation  of  such  a  temper,  for  he 
changeth  not. 

A  part  of  this  reverence  due  from  children  to  their 
parents  is  to  conceal  thtir  infirmities,  and,  as  far  as 
truth  and  justice  will  admit,  extenuate  their  faults. 
This  is  but  a  small  return  for  the  great  bem  fits  chil- 
dren have  receivtrd.  And  if  they  can  join  in  expos- 
ing either  their  indiscrerions  or  faults,  can  publish  or 
ridicule  what  is  the  shame  of  their  parents,  tht  y  act 
over  again  the  base  part  of  the  wicked  Ham,  righte- 
ous Noah's  son,  which  brought  down  upon  him  a 

curse. 

It  is  the  duty  of  children  to  requite  their  parents, 
if  they  are  able,  for  the  benefit  of  their  education. 
Ingratitude  is  the  only  sin  which  never  found  a  sin- 
gle advocate.  Yet,  of  all  ingratitude  one  creature 
can  shew  to  another,  neglect  in  children  to  support 
and  comfort  their  parents  is  the  blackest :  for  what 
care  and  expence,  to  promote  the  good  of  their  off"- 
spring,  do  parents  ever  refuse  ?  Now,  when,  in  the 
course  of  providence,  they  come  to  need  some  re- 
turn of  the  same  tender  disposition  ;  when  the  infirm- 
ities of  age,  losses,  or  afflictions,  oppress  them  ;  what 
child,  not  destitute  of  all  humane  feelings,  no  less 
than  religion,  but  would  rejoice  to  prove  as  helpful 
to  his  parents,  now  going  out  of  the  world,  as  they 
were  to  himself  when  he  first  came  into  it  ?  This 
expression  of  gratitude  is  marked  in  scripture,  and 
neglect  of  it  branded,  not  only  as  a  renunciation  of 
the  gospel  (whatever  professions  of  zeal  for  it  may 
be  pretended)  but  as  a  crime  which  many  Pagans 
would  abhor.     "  If  any  provide  not  for  his    own 


288  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

house''  {not  his  children,  they  are  not  the  persons 
meant  here,  but  his  aged  parents  and  near  relations 
in  want),  '*  he  hath  denied  the  faith,  and  is  worse 
than  an  infidel,"    I  Tim.  v. 

What  proportion  of  his  income  a  son  ought  to  set 
apart  for  the  support  of  his  parents  must  be  fixed  by 
his  condition.  Yet  this  rule  is  ever  to  be  remem- 
bered  :  If  the  provision  bear  no  proportion  to  the 
ability  of  the  person  who  makes  it,  God  and  man 
will  regard  it  as  a  despicable  offering.  And  if  a  son 
or  child  can  be  lavish  in  pursuit  of  pleasure,  and  live 
in  expensive  splendour,  whilst  a  scanty  subsistence 
is  allowed  to  their  parents,  sense  of  duty  certainly  is 
not  felt.  What  is  given,  is  given  not  from  love  of 
God,  not  from  affection  to  his  parents,  but  to  silence 
remorse,  or  avoid  the  scandal  of  suffering  them  to 
depend  on  charity. 

The  last  instance  of  duty  from  children  to  their 
parents,  which  I  shall  mention,  is  obedience ;  obe- 
dience,  without  exception,  in  all  cases  to  which  pa- 
rental authority  reaches :  and  all  cases  are  compre- 
hended under  that  authority,  where  the  command 
given  to  children  does  not  oppose  the  revealed  will  of 
God,  nor  do  violence  to  their  conscience  in  matters 
of  religion. 

And,  generally,  those  w^ho  are  neglected  or  despis- 
ed by  their  offspring,  may  thank  themselves  for  it ; 
it  is  the  effect  and  punishment  of  their  own  sin. 
They  fostered,  w^hen  they  should  have  corrected, 
every  wicked  temper  in  their  children's  earliest  years. 
They  shamefully  sacrificed  parental  authority  to  a 
froward  mind,  and  abjectly  submitted  to  be  govern- 
ed by  those  over  whom  they  were  appointed  gover- 
nors, in  the  order  of  nature,  and  by  the  command 
of  God. 

Where  this  most  foolish  and  cruel  fondness  has 
not  been  the  cause  of  undutifulness  to  parents,  a 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  289 

profane  education,  in  ignorance  of  Christian  princi- 
ples, often  has  ;  for  this  encourages  a  proud  inde- 
pendent spirit,  which,  as  it  fears  not  God,  will  pay- 
reverence  to  no  man,  nor  feel  obligation,  nor  bear 
restraint.  So  that,  excepting  a  few  cases.  Christian 
parents,  througli  the  grace  of  God  succeeding  their 
endeavours,  reap  as  they  have  sown,  and  often  en- 
jov,  even  before  they  leave  the  world,  the  fruit  of 
those  cares  and  pains  with  which  they  studied  to 
promote  the  salvation  of  their  children,  and  often  die 
in  the  pleasing  expectation  of  meeting  them  in  end- 
less glory. 

After  the  relation  between  parents  and  children, 
that  subsisting  between  masters  and  servants  follows. 
In  either  station  Christians  are  furnished  with  ample 
directions  and  cogent  motives  to  discharge  their  duty 
with  comfort  to  themselves,  to  all  the  family,  and  to 
the  great  honour  of  their  holy  profession. 

Servants  who  receive  the  word  of  God  will  be 
faithful  to  their  trust :  free  from  fraud  and  deceit 
themselves,  and  careful  to  prevent  injury  being  done 
to  their  masters  by  conniving  at  frauds  which  they 
know  others  practice.  This  point  has  been  before 
insisted  on.  Besides,  they  will  obey  their  masters 
without  that  sullen  look  and  behaviour  which  would 
render  their  services  ungrateful,  and  their  persons 
offensive  :  a  sure  sign  of  a  lofty  spirit,  to  which  ser- 
vitude and  subjection,  though  ever  so  reasonably, 
is  galling.  This  surly  humour  in  servants,  is  sel- 
dom shewn  but  in  families,  where  the  lucre  of  the 
place,  compared  with  that  of  grander  families,  is  per- 
haps small ;  or  at  least  the  servant  is  hired,  not  for 
show  or  luxury  of  life,  but  labour  and  usefulness. 
In  these  instances,  the  benefit  of  Christian  doctrine 
and  faith  is  especially  to  be  manifest ;  for  the  Lord 
and  Saviour  of  Christians  requires  them  "  Vv  ith  good 

N    N 


-290  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

will  to  do  service,  as  to  himself,  and  not  to  men," 
Eph.  vi.  7. 

It  is  the  duty  of  servants  also  patiently  to  bear 
reproof  for  their  faults,  and  to  amend ;  not  rising 
up  eagerly  in  self-vindication,  ever  apt  to  impute 
all  admonition  to  lU- nature  or  passion  in  their  supe- 
rior ;  and,  if  they  hear  reproof  without  marks  of  dis- 
gust and  contempt,  to  think  themselves  at  liberty  to 
rt  gurd  it  no  more  than  is  necessary  to  keep  their  place. 
But  you  cannot  act  in  this  unreasonable  manner, 
and  obey  your  Lord.  You  cannot  adorn  the  gos- 
pel, as  you  are  commanded,  if  you  are  deaf  to  just 
reproof,  and  hardened  against  it.  Nay,  you  bring 
shame  upon  your  religious  profession  ;  you  make  it 
contemptible,  and  even  to  be  dreaded  in  a  family. 
It  is  the  mark  of  a  Christian,  when  he  does  well, 
and  suffers  for  it,  to  bear  it  patiently.  You  do  ill, 
and  are  in  fault,  yet  feel  anger  and  resentment  against 
your  master,  who  has  a  right,  and  does  well  to  re- 
prove you.  The  plain  and  excellent  direction  given 
in  scripture  you  trample  upon  ;  for  that  strictly  re- 
quires "  servants  to  be  obedient  to  their  own  masters 
and  to  please  them  well  in  ail  things,  not  answering 
again." 

Masters,  in  their  turn,  who  are  Christians,  will 
behave  with  justice,  mildness,  and  real  good  will  to 
their  servants.  These  tempers,  essential  to  the  faith- 
ful in  Christ  Jesus,  have  been  already  pointed  out 
and  enforced.  I  shall,  therefore,  now  call  your  at- 
tention to  the  duties  peculiar  to  governors  of  the 
family.  In  the  first  instance,  they  are  to  be  careful 
all  their  domestics  behave  well.  Magistrates  are 
chiefly  in  fault  when  the  manners  of  the  people  arc 
dissolute  :  for  the  law  invests  them  with  power  to 
punish  and  control  evil  doers.  But  masters  of  fam- 
ilies, with  less  difficulty,  can  govern  their  own  little 
commonwealth,   aad  prevent  disorders  there.     Ser- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  291 

vants  arc  upon  a  level  with  cattle,  fed  and  kept  only 
for  their  work.  They  are  fellow-creatures,  capable 
of  knowing  God  equally  with  their  masters,  and  in 
his  sight  as  good  as  themselves.  In  this  view  it  is 
their  indispensable  duty,  and  a  necessary  eiFtct  of 
Christian  benevolence,  to  suffer  no  open  violation  of 
God's  law,  to  oblige  their  servants  to  a  regular  at- 
tendance upon  the  worship  of  God  on  the  Lord's 
day,  and  to  abstain  from  all  profanation  of  it ;  to 
furnish  them  with  books  calculated  to  enlighten  the 
mind,  and  bring  them  to  the  excellent  knowledge  of 
Christ.  And  if  business  does  not,  in  fact,  render  it 
impracticable,  they  ought  to  call  the  members  of 
their  household  to  join  every  day  in  worshipping 
God,  the  giver  of  the  blessings  each  member  of  the 
family  enjoys. 

For  the  same  reason  it  is  your  duty,  who  preside 
in  a  house,  to  set  a  Christian  example  to  all  under 
your  roof;  constantly  to  abstain  from  all  business 
and  diversion  on  the  Lord's  day,  and,  by  worshipping 
your  Maker  in  the  great  congregation,  let  your  ser- 
vants see  you  act  honestly  from  conscience  towards 
God  ;  and  that  from  reverence  to  his  law,  you  neither 
talk  loosely,  sware  profanely,  nor  live  in  intemper- 
ance or  covetousness.  By  this  exemplary  conduct 
you  will  check  and  restrain  those  about  your  person, 
and  be  the  means  of  stirring  up  ignorant  sinful  crea- 
tures to  repent,  and  turn  to  God ;  or  if  they  obsti- 
nately persist  in  their  wickedness,  you  will  not  be 
chargeable  as  accessary  to  it  in  any  degree. 

I  shall  mention  only  one  branch  more  of  duty, 
which  masters  owe  to  their  servants,  viz.  encourage- 
ment and  reward  for  good  behaviour.  Kind  expres- 
sions, without  lifting  up  the  man,  quicken  an  inge- 
nuous mind  to  greater  attention  and  diligence. 
They  ought,  therefore,  frequently  to  be  used  to  al- 
leviate servitude.     Farther,  when  the  prime  of  life" 


2.92  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

and  strength  have  been  laid  out  in  your  service ; 
when  fidelity  to  your  interest,  and  application  to 
your  business  have  always  distinguished  your  depen- 
dent, you  should,  out  of  your  affluence,  make  a 
proper  provision  for  him  in  old  age  ;  or,  in  case  of 
sickness  and  accidental  loss  of  limbs,  you  should 
shew  him  great  compassion.  Consider  how  much 
others  have  lost  by  the  dishonesty  of  those  about 
them :  how  much  trouble,  anxiety,  and  vexation 
they  have  suffered :  whilst  you  committed,  with 
great  composure  and  confidence,  your  affairs  into 
the  hands  of  a  good  and  faithful  servant,  and  have 
received  no  damage.  How  much  of  your  comfort 
in  this  life  has  been  owing  to  this  material  circum- 
stance !  Where  then  is  your  Christian  love,  your 
generosity,  or  your  humanity,  if  you  do  not  take 
pleasure  in  shewing  much  kindness  in  return  ? 

Having  pointed  out  the  several  duties  of  a  Chris- 
tian in  his  domestic  relation,  I  will  finish  the  subject 
with  a  picture  of  a  family  in  which  each  member 
lives  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  under  the  tempers 
it  produces. 

Consider  those  who  preside  in  it ;  they  cordially 
love  and  study  to  make  each  other  happy.  Whilst 
both  with  boundless  benevolence  watch  over  their 
children,  ambitious  to  educate  them  for  immortal- 
ity in  the  presence  of  God;  carefully,  therefore,  they 
check  every  evil  in  its  first  appearance,  and  aim  to 
inspire  them  with  admiration  of  all  excellency. 
Both,  with  impartial  affection  for  their  whole  off- 
spring, gladly  give  them  every  innocent  gratification, 
every  liberty  and  joy,  which  wisdom  and  duty  will 
permit.  Look  upon  the  children,  what  affiance  in 
the  love  of  their  parents  !  What  prompt  obedience 
to  their  will !  What  pleasure  in  their  company  ! 
Look  upon  the  servants,  faithful  to  their  office,  and 
prudent  in  their  deportment,  they  are  treated  with 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  INIAN.  253, 

respect,  and,  by  the  kindness  they  meet  with,  called 
upon  to  use  each  other  well ;  whilst  parents,  chil- 
dren, and  servants  meet  together  day  by  day  to  mag- 
nify the  name  of  the  Lord,  who  makcth  them  that 
dwell  together  in  one  house,  live  in  peace  ;  whilst 
all  are  looking  forward,  in  their  degree  of  faith,  to  a 
house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens, 
where,  without  sin,  and  beyond  the  reach  of  temp- 
tation, they  shall  dwell  together. 

The  age  we  live  in  affords  us  instances  of  this 
sort ;  and  were  not  a  despicable  notion  of  Christian- 
ity, so  commonly  entertained,  as  if  it  were  a  mere 
assent  to  certain  articles,  or  a  set  of  religious  cere- 
monies ;  were  not  the  Bible  character  of  a  Christian 
deemed  by  many  much  too  strict,  and  by  more  an 
unattainable  degree  of  perfection,  individuals,  and 
whole  families,  in  great  numbers,  would  become 
altogether  subject  to  the  power  and  grace  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  walk  in  this  world,  even  as  he  also  walked. 


PRAYER, 

Suited  to  the  subject  of  the  preceediiig  Chapters. 

O  LORD  GOD  and  heavenly  Father,  have  mercy 
upon  all  families  called  after  the  name  of  thy  dear 
Son.  Give  to  each  member  of  the  house  grace  to 
observe  and  do  what  thou  hast  commanded  them. 
Teach  servants  to  do  their  work  with  all  fidelity  ;  free 
from  sloth  and  carelessness,  from  an  obstinate  and 
syllen  temper.  Give  them  wisdom  to  consider  their 
condition,  not  as  any  disgrace  or  hardship,  but  as 
the  place  thou  hast  allotted  to  them.  Let  it  be  their 
comfort  to  know,  that  by  doing  the  business  of  their 
station  to  the  Lord,  and  not  unto  men,  of  him  they 
shall  receive  the  reward.  * 


2^4  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

Be  favourable  to  all  heads  of  families.  Let  them 
not  be  high-rninded,  unfeeling,  and  unreasonable  to- 
wards their  dependents.  Convince  them,  no  merit 
in  them,  but  thy  all- wise  appointment,  makes  the 
subordination  ;  not  that  the  rich  or  great  should  be 
frantic  over  their  servants,  but  add  abundantly  to  the 
comfort  of  their  lives.  O  give  them  to  abhor  the 
Bieanness  of  galling  those  who  work  for  them,  by 
violent  passion,  or  treating  them  with  contempt. 
May  they  remember  they  also  have  a  master  in  hea- 
ven, who  is  no  respecter  of  persons  ;  before  nhom 
both  rulers  and  servants  must  give  account  of  their 
behaviour  to  each  other.  Inspire  all  who  preside  in 
the  family  with  mildness  and  mercy  towards  every- 
one under  their  roof.  Make  it  a  pleasure  to  them  to 
comfort  and  support  their  faithful  servants  under 
their  afflictions,  and  give  them  grace  to  teach  them 
the  fear  of  the  Lord,  in  whose  hands  is  their  breath, 
and  whose  are  all  their  ways. 

Teach  parents  to  regard  their  children  as  immortal 
creatures  intrusted  to  their  care  to  be  brought  up 
for  God.  When  they  sit  down  with  them  in  the 
house,  and  when  they  walk  by  the  way,  when  they 
lie  down,  and  when  they  rise  up,  may  they  speak  to 
them  of  thy  power  and  glory,  and  the  mightiness  of 
diy  kingdom.  Make  them  vigilant  and  resolute  to 
check  the  first  sallies  of  their  evil  tempers,  and  may 
thcv  dread  nothinc^  more  than  beins;  accessories  to 
the  destruction  of  their  own  oifspring.  by  profane- 
ness,  or  sensuality,  or  want  of  concern  for  their  sal- 
vation. May  they  earnestly  call  upon  thee,  O  God, 
to  endue  them  with  wisdom  to  train  up  their  children 
in  the  way  they  should  go.  Give  thy  blessing  to 
the  relation  established  between  them  both,  that  pa. 
rents  may  rejoice  to  see  their  children  growing  up  as 
pleasant  plants  before  thee,  and  children  have  reason 
in  time  and  enternity  to  bless  God  for  their  pa* 
rents. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  2.^5 

Put  thy  spirit  into  the  hearts  of  young  people,  that 
they  may  behave  with  all  reverence,  obedience,  and 
love.  Not  heedless  when  instructed,  not  stubborn 
when  reproved,  not  ungrateful  to  forget  how  muck 
they  are  bound  to  requite  their  parents. 

Grant,  we  beseech  thee,  O  Lord,  that  all  who  are 
united  in  the  bands  of  holy  wedlock  may  live  in  ten- 
der regard  and  love  to  each  other,  and  teach,  by 
their  own  example,  all  inferior  members  of  the  fami- 
ly to  discharge  the  duty  of  their  station. 

And  we,  of  this  family,  now  kneeling  before  thee, 
l)eg,  O  God,  we  may  be  forgiven,  for  Christ's  sake, 
all  the  instances  of  irreverence,  unkindness,  or  pas- 
sion, by  which  we  have  offended,  and  provoked  one 
another.  O  grant  us  repentance,  and  hearty  sorrow 
for  our  faults, ^and  grace  to  dwell  together  in  unity 
and  godly  love,  that,  when  we  are  called  to  apj^ear 
before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ,  we  may  not  be 
confounded  We  ask  this  for  the  sake,  and  through 
the  intercession  of  our  Lord  and  only  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ.     Amen. 


SUNDAY  XL, 

CHAP.  XL. 
On  Self-denial, 


r  ALSE  teachers  court  the  favour  of  men,  by  base 
compliances,  with  their  corrupt  affections.  The 
True  Witness  demands  the  sacrifice  of  them  all 
in  the  plainest  terms  :  *'  Except  a  man  deny  himself, 


296  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

and  take  up  his  cross  daily,  and  follow  me,  he  can- 
not be  my  disciple." 

Self-denial  is  then  beyond  a  doubt  the  duty  of 
every  Christian.  But  in  what  instances,  how  far  it 
must  reach,  and  the  peculiar  motives  furnished  by 
the  gospel  to  deny  self,  are  points  of  useful  and  ne- 
cessary consideration  :  because  enthusiasts  always 
place  much  of  self-denial  in  things  absurd,  frivolous, 
or  equivocal.  And  superstition  has  bound  heavy 
burdens  upon  men's  shoulders  as  self-denial,  little 
regarding,  at  the  same  time,  those  noble  and  sub- 
stantial acts  in  which  it  really  consists. 

Each  of  these  points,  therefore,  shall  be  discussed, 
and  every  duty  to  himself,  which  the  Christian  is 
obliged  and  enabled  to  discharge,  explained.  Self- 
denial  originates  in  the  corruption  of  our  nature  by 
the  offence  of  Adam.  Was  there  no  innate  propen- 
sity to  evil  in  all  his  offspring  (Christ  alone  except- 
ed), we  might  indeed  have  been  warned  not  to  de- 
base our  dignity  by  a  compliance  with  established 
iniquity.  But,  supposing  we  possesed  untainted 
excellence  of  nature,  so  far  would  this  be  from  self- 
denial,  it  would  be  the  highest  self- gratification.  In 
this  case,  a  total  steadfast  opposition  to  corrupt  man- 
ners would  be  perfectly  undisturbed  by  any  thing  of 
a  contrary  tendency  within.  The  native  and  only 
bent  of  the  soul  would  be  to  perform  duty  in  its  full 
extent.  Thus  we  conceive  it  must  necessarily  be 
with  angels,  who  are  sent  forth  to  minister  to  the 
heirs  of  salvation,  and  must  consequently  see  what 
passes  amongst  men  ;  for,  to  suppose  it  is  by  self- 
denial  they  abstain  from  the  pUutions  that  are  in  the 
world,  would  destroy  our  idea  of  their  perfection. 

But  our  present  condition  is  directly  opposite  to 
that  of  beings  who  never  fell  from  God.  A  corrupt 
bias  prevails  naturally  in  the  heart  of  man,  which, 
instead  of  appearing  detestable  to  him,  as  it  ought,  is 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN".  297 

cherished.  And  such  pleasure  is  found  from  evil 
indulgence,  that  the  sacrifice  of  it,  in  obedience  to 
the  will  of  God,  is  compared  by  him,  who  knew  what 
was  in  man,  to  the  pain  of  cutting  off  a  right  hand, 
and  plucking  out  a  right  eye.  For  though,  in  fact, 
our  happiness  be  inseparable  from  uniform  subjec- 
tion to  the  divine  will,  yet,  depraved  as  we  are,  we 
often  think  them  incompatible.  Hence  men  natur- 
ally fight  against  God  for  what  they  fancy  are  their 
native  rights,  as  against  a  tyrant;  nor  can  they  ever 
submit  to  him,  without  first  doing  violence  to  their 
own  appetites. 

This  being  our  natural  state,  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  assures  us,  without  reserve,  that  if  we  ever 
partake  of  his  great  salvation,  we  must  not  only  op- 
pose the  wickedness  of  the  world,  but  those  inclina- 
tions too,  which  are  interwoven  with  our  frame,  pro- 
perly, therefore,  called  ourselves. 

Having  thus  briefly  remarked  the  origin  of 
self-denial,  the  important  instances  in  which  we 
must  practice  it  are,  in  the  next  place,  to  be  consid- 
ered. 

As  constitution  makes  that  ati  easy  sacrifice  to 
some,  which  to  others  is  most  painful ;  and  there 
are  also  some  cases,  where  decency,  reputation,  and 
worldly  interest  lead  men  in  a  measure  to  deny 
themselves ;  and  others,  where  the  grace  of  God, 
and  power  of  faith,  must  operate  to  the  denial  of 
ourselves,  I  shall  begin  with  the  instances  of  more 
easy  practice,  and  ascend  to  those  in  which  the 
Christian  only  can  persevere  to  the  honour  of  God. 

Temperance  then  is  not  to  be  maintained  without 
self-denial ;  for  though  few  comparatively  are  in- 
famous for  gluttony  or  drunkenness,  yet  not  to  ex- 
ceed the  limits  of  temperance  is  matter  of  some  dif- 
ficulty to  most  people.  We  are  apt  to  approach  to- 
wards excess,  till  the  body  becomes  a  clog  to  the 

o  o 


298  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

operations  of  the  mind,  and  delight  in  things  of  a 
spiritual  nature  is  abated,  if  not  destroyed.  With- 
out hurt  to  our  character,  we  may  indulge  at  table, 
till  we  can  relish  nothing  but  what  suits  an  indolent 
spirit.  How  many,  vanquished  by  this  low  appetite, 
often  discover,  and  oftener  conceal  their  vexation, 
when  ignorance  or  neglect  in  the  kitchen  has  disap* 
poiFited  the  yz/// gratification  of  their  palate  in  the  par- 
lour !  And  how  many  sensual  remarks  are  made  in 
most  companies,  upon  what  deserves  no  more  to  be 
the  subject  of  our  discourse,  than  the  husks  the 
swine  devour !  These  things  occurring  so  fre- 
quently, prove  self-denial  needful  even  at  our  com- 
mon meals.  Indeed  he  who  receives  any  other  gra- 
tification, than  health  and  hunger  will  make  the 
common  provisions  of  his  table  yield,  is  already  a 
transgressor,  and  has  given  way  to  intemperance. 
He  encourages  an  appetite  which  will  sensualize  his 
soul,  enthral  it  to  fleshly  pleasure,  and  of  course 
render  him  averse  to  suffer  in  the  least  degree  for 
truth  and  conscience  sake.  And  those  who  feed 
themselves  without  fear,  or  allow  themselves  to  dwell 
on  the  dainties  of  the  table,  make  provision  for  the 
flesh.  So  far  from  being  temperate,  as  all  who  run 
successfully  in  the  Christian  race  must  be,  they  are 
voluptuous  ;  incapable  of  making  the  least  progress 
towards  Heaven,  till  they  obey  the  command  ;  "  Put 
a  knife  to  thy  throat,   thou  man  given  to  appetite." 

As  we  must  deny  ourselves  the  pleasure  of  feast- 
ing the  palate  with  meats,  no  less  carefully  must  we 
avoid  excess  in  drink.  It  is  necessary  to  speak  in 
the  fullest  and  clearest  manner  here,  because  this 
carnal  indulgence  many  place  amongst  our  infirmi- 
ties, for  which  honest},  and  generosity,  and  good 
nature,  sufiicicntly  atone. 

The  proof  then  that  it  is  our  indispensable  duty 
to  subdue  every  inclination  to  drink  in  excess,  is  ex- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  299 

eeddingly  strong :  for  this  offence  carries  with  it 
great  provocation  on  many  accounts.  In  every  in- 
stance, it  is  a  waste  of  that  plenty  which  God  de- 
signed should  supply  the  wants  of  men.  Contrary 
to  reason  and  humility,  you,  by  excessive  drinking, 
inflame  your  body,  whilst  others  pine  away,  desti- 
tute of  the  necessaries  of  life.  You  swallow  down 
pernicious  draughts  in  your  carousing,  which  pro- 
perly applied,  would  revive  the  health  of  those  who 
languish  in  want  of  such  a  cordial. 

Had  you  a  numerous  offspring  settled  in  a  distant 
land,  some  of  whom  had  great  abundance,  whilst 
the  rest  were  destitute,  without  any  fault  of  theirs  ; 
what  manifold  grief  and  indignation  would  you  feel, 
to  hear  the  former  consumed  their  abundance  in  ex- 
cess, refusing  to  relieve  the  necessities  of  their  own 
brethren  ?  Yet  this  is  always  done  in  the  sight  of  our 
common  Father,  when  men  waste,  on  the  gratifica- 
tion of  a  base  appetite,  what  might  have  fed  the  hun- 
gry, and  clothed  the  naked.  Even  allowing  the  in- 
temperate drinker  is  rich,  his  conduct  is  cruel  to- 
wards those  who  are  in  want  before  his  eyes,  or  so 
near  him,  that  if  he  was  not  wilfully  deaf  or  blind, 
he  must  hear  their  groans,  and  see  their  distress. 

But  when  a  man  is  poor,  or  his  income  only  suf- 
ficient, by  frugal  management,  to  support  his  family, 
excessive  drinking,  in  this  case,  is  a  crime  still  more 
black ;  for  he  tramples  upon  natural  affection,  and, 
whilst  takinghis  cups,  is  stripping  his  children  of  their 
garments,  and  snatching  the  bread  from  the  mouths 
of  his  almost  famished  family.  Though  his  besotted 
companions  falsely  and  stupidly  call  him  no  one's 
enemy  but  his  own,  he  is  in  truth  the  worst  of  foes 
to  his  own  household  ;  and  the  father  of  us  all  looks 
down  upon  no  one  more  daringly  in  rebellion  against 
the  law  of  love  than  the  drunkard,  or  more  afflicting 
to  those  who  are,  alas  !  liis  near  relations. 


300  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

Further,  our  reason  is  an  inestimable  gift  from 
God.  It  renders  us  capable  of  receiving  knowledge 
from  his  word  and  works  here,  and  of  enjoying  his 
love  for  ever.  We  are  happy  in  ourselves,  and  use- 
ful to  others,  just  in  proportion  as  our  reason  is  im- 
proved and  sanctified  by  divine  grace.  According- 
ly, the  loss  of  our  reason  is  universally  judged  to  be 
the  sorest  calamity  which  can  befal  us.  What  a 
crime  then  must  it  be  to  suspend  wilfully  the  exer- 
cise of  reason,  and  become  incapable  of  knowing 
what  we  either  say  or  do  ?  We  are  commanded  to 
set  a  watch  before  our  mouths,  as  those  who  must 
give  an  account  of  every  idle  word  we  speak.  What 
more  audacious  contempt  of  this  command,  than  for 
a  man  to  intoxicate  himself,  till  there  is  nothing  so 
foolish,  abusive,  filthy,  or  blasphemous,  but  he  will 
utter  it  ? 

Besides,  duty  requires  that  every  appetite  be 
brought  into  subjection  to  Christ.  What  a  daring 
violation,  to  inflame  your  passions  by  excessive 
drinking !  Yet  this  is  inseparable  from  intemperance. 
It  increases  pride,  and  inspires  insolence,  from 
whence  come  quarrels  and  implacable  hatred.  It 
often  separates  between  dearest  friends,  hurrying 
them  into  duels,  and  bloody  transports  of  revenge 
upon  each  other.  Lust  also  it  excites  to  the  utmost 
degree. 

So  provoking  an  abuse  of  plenty,  so  shameful  a 
violence  committed  upon  our  reason,  so  daring  an 
act  of  rebellion  against  the  government  of  God,  must 
certainly  exclude  all  who  die  under  the  guilt  of  it 
from  his  favour.  The  scripture  abounds  with  denun- 
ciations of  punishment  to  be  inflicted  on  drunkards, 
and  on  all  who  inflame  themselves  with  wine.  I 
shall  produce  but  one ;  it  is  fully  decisive,  and 
enough  to  make  their  blood  run  cold  against  whon^ 
it  is  pointed. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  301 

'  "  But  if  that  evil  servant  shall  say  in  his  heart, 
My  Lord  delayeth  his  coming ;  and  shall  begin  to 
smite  his  fellow- servants  and  cat  and  drink  with  the 
drunken,  the  Lord  of  that  servant  shall  come  in  a  day 
wht  n  he  looketh  not  for  him,  and  in  an  hour  that  he 
is  not  aware  of,  and  shall  cut  him  asunder,  and  ap- 
point him  his  portion  with  the  hypocrites ;  there 
shall  be  weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth,"  Matth. 
xxiv.  48. 

Not  only  the  present  evils,  therefore,  which  in- 
temperance draws  after  it,  but  the  final  doom  of  this 
shameful  sin,  are  revealed  in  scripture  to  alarm  our 
fears,  and  give  us  full  proof  of  their  misery,  who  are 
enslaved  by  love  of  wine. 

So  that  either  we  must  utterly  subdue  it,  or  give 
up  heaven  and  God.  But  as  the  thought  of  losing 
his  favour  is  worse  than  death  to  every  real  Chris- 
tian, it  follows  that,  however  he  may  naturally  incline 
to  excess  in  drinking,  or  company  tempt  to  it,  or 
worldly  advantage  allure,  as  a  recommendation  to 
the  intemperate,  he  will  persevere  in  a  course  of  so- 
briety, and,  whether  he  eats  or  drinks,  take  care  by 
no  means  to  displease  his  God, 


SUNDAY  XLL 

CHAP.  XLI. 

On  the  Sill  of  Lewdness. 


JlLVERY  Christian  must  deny  the  irregular  gratifi- 
cation of  his  love  for  woman,  to  which  depraved  na- 
ture violently  impels ;  because  this  passion,  though 


302  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

necessary  for  the  propagation  of  mankind,  and  useful 
in  wedlock  to  several  excellent  ends,  yet,  unless  re- 
strained and  governed  by  the  law  of  God,  it  proves 
one  of  the  vilest  seducers,  and  a  source  of  evils  ex- 
tensive and  beyond  number.  What  time,  parts,  and 
influence  are  prostituted  through  the  impulse  of  lust 
to  inveigle  and  debauch  the  innocent !  Men  of  lib- 
eral education  and  finest  sense  will  be  guilty  of  what 
shocks  every  mind  influenced  by  the  fear  of  God,  or 
compassion  for  their  fellow- creatures ;  guilty  of  lying 
in  wait  to  gain  an  advantage  in  an  unwary  moment, 
by  vile  deceit,  over  a  heedless  virgin ;  of  bringing 
her  to  indelible  shame,  and  loading  her  parents  also 
with  hopeless  grief;  guilty  of  offering  to  the  ruined 
object  of  their  lust  an  injury,  which,  if  done  to  a  sis- 
ter or  daughter  of  their  own,  they  would  instantly 
revenge  with  the  point  of  the  sword.  Instigated  by 
their  lust,  they  will  open  the  way  to  adulterous  com- 
merce, and  all  its  train  of  mischiefs,  by  seducing 
unmarried  women,  who  too  seldom  prove  chaste  in 
wedlock  when  they  have  been  debauched  before. 
They  will  be  guilty  of  contributing  to  fill  the  world 
with  whores,  at  once  its  sin  and  scourge ;  creatures 
abandoned  to  every  detestable  temper  and  practice  ; 
cruel,  remorseless,  corrupters  of  youth,  plunging 
them  into  desperate  courses,  till  they  are  cut  off*  by 
the  hand  of  justice. 

These  consequences,  in  a  less  or  greater  degree, 
are  sure  to  follow  the  unlawful  indulgence  of  our 
natural  appetite  for  women.  Yet  these  make  only 
a  small  part  of  the  evils  which  flow  from  fornica- 
tion. No  pen  can  describe  fully  what  the  soul 
suffers  by  it.  When  sense  of  duty  or  modesty  re- 
main, the  first  commission  of  this  sin  is  punished 
upon  the  spot  with  the  horror  of  a  guilty  mind. 
By  frequent  repetition,  all  sense  of  religion  is  ex- 
tinguished,   and  all  intercourse  with  God  ceases. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  803 

The  company  of  men  hardened  in  the  practice  of 
lewdness  is  sought  after  as  a  refuge,  till  the  secret 
offender  against  chastity  contracts  a  brow  of  brass, 
and  becomes  first  an  abject  slave  to  lust,  and  then 
an  infamous  pleader  in  its  defence  ;  his  conscience 
is  seared,  the  captive  hugs  his  chains,  and  glories  in 
his  shame. 

Add  to  this  catalogue  of  dreadful  evils  the  bloody 
quarrels  amongst  the  lewd,  and  the  murders  which 
they  are  led  to  commit ;  murder  of  children  yet  un- 
born, loading  the  mind  with  guilt ;  and  imbittering 
life  beyond  conception;  murder  often  of  the  new-born 
babe,  which  the  law  avenges  by  the  infamous  death 
of  its  sanguinary  parent. 

Instead,  therefore,  of  saying  (as  libertines  impu- 
dently speak)  where  is  the  harm  of  taking  a  little 
pleasure  out  of  the  way,  you  will  perceive,  that 
thieves  and  robbers  are  harmless  and  honorable  too, 
compared  with  the  lewdy  because  injuries  from  these 
open  foes  have  very  soon  an  end,  in  most  instances 
are  borne  with  ease,  and  may  be  redressed,  never 
striking  at  our  immortal  interest.  But  the  seducer 
of  a  female  destroys  her  reputation,  tears  her  away 
from  her  family  and  friends,  banishes  her  from  the 
society  of  virtuous  women,  entangles  her  in  the 
bloom  of  her  years  in  the  snare  which  will  soon  drag 
her  down  from  her  life  of  pleasure  to  a  condition 
below  brutality,  the  condition  of  a  prostitute.  So 
that  the  very  mention,  or  even  remembrance  of  her 
name  shall  afresh  excite  grief  in  her  fl\mily  and  rela- 
tions, grief  unassuaged  by  the  least  ray  of  hope  in 
her  death  or  after- state. 

Upon  this  fair  representation  of  the  case,  ask  now 
any  young  woman,  in  the  use  of  her  reason,  into 
whose  hands  she  had  better  fall ;  into  those  of  the 
lewd,  the  dishonest,  or  the  robber  ?  Into  their 
hands,  she  would  say,  who  will  only  take  my  pro- 


304  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

perty,  and  fill  me  with  momentary  terrors ;  not  int© 
the  libertine's  who  will  plunge  me  into  infamy,  lin- 
gering wretchedness,  abandoned  vice,  and  eternal 
misery.  Such  pests  to  society  are  men  of  gallantry 
and  pleasure  !  How  astonishing,  that  ruin  of  virgins, 
dishonour  of  families,  heart-breaking  injuries  done 
to  worthy  aged  parents,  with  a  variety  of  crimes,  the 
certain  effects  of  uncontroled  lust,  should  be  lightly 
passed  over  as  nothing  vile,  under  the  magic  name  of 
love  and  gallantry  ?  When  will  a  public  spirit  and 
generous  concern  to  prevent  such  heavy  woes  excite 
men  to  brand  every  word  spoken  in  favour  of  lewd- 
ness, as  they  do  what  is  spoken  to  lessen  our  abhor- 
rence of  perjury  and  assassination  ?  When  will  men 
have  understanding  to  perceive  that  the  natural  appe- 
tite for  women  under  the  law  of  God,  is  like  a  river 
in  its  channel,  a  perpetual  blessing  ;  but,  bursting 
that  sacred  bank,  becomes  a  wasting  flood  ;  and  that 
he  never  more  tenderly  consulted  the  good  of  his 
rational  creatures,  than  in  absolutely  forbidding  eve- 
ry degree  of  lewdness. 

Though  there  be  little  reason  to  hope  this  public 
spirit  will  take  place,  the  scripture  presents  every 
young  man  with  the  rise,  progress,  and  fatal  end  of 
fornication,  contrasting  them  with  the  various  allure- 
ments which  lead  us  into  that  sin.  There  the  lips  of 
the  harlot  are  painted  dropping  sweets  as  the  honey- 
comb, and  her  mouth  smoother  than  oil,  but  instant- 
ly, to  quench  the  rising  of  an  impure  desire,  "  her 
end,"  we  are  taught  of  God,  "  is  bitter  as  worm- 
wood, and  sharp  as  a  two-edged  sword,"  Pro  v.  v. 
3,  4.  The  simple  young  man  she  invites  to  take  his 
fill  of  love  till  the  morning ;  but  the  treacherous  of- 
fer is  immediately  laid  bare,  and  under  the  thin  veil 
of  mometary  joy,  is  discovered  an  upbraiding  con- 
science, pouring  out  that  sad  confession,  ''  How 
have  I  hated  instruction  and  my  heart  despised  re- 
prooi !  ' 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  305 

Further,  lest  brutish  love  of  pleasure  should  tempt 
young  men  to  fancy,  they  may  easily  retreat  after 
yielding  a  little   to  lust,  or  that  simple  fornication 
is  not  a  sin  of  high  provocation,  God  has  emphati- 
cally  exposed  both  these  false  conclusions.     "  He" 
(the  lewd  young  man)  *'  goeth  after  her  straightway, 
as  an  ox  goeth  to  the  slaughter,  or  as  a  fool  to  the 
correction  of  the  stocks,"  (utterly  stupid  and  incor- 
rigible),  *'till  a  dart  striketh  through  his  liver,  as  a 
bird  hasttth  to  the  snare,  and  knoweth  not  that  it  is 
for  his  life,"  Prov.  vii.  ''  Why  wilt  thou  embrace 
the  bosom  of  a  stranger?  for  the  ways  of  a  man  are 
before  the  eyes  of  the  Lord,  and  he  pondereth  all  his 
goings.     His   own  iniquities  shall  take  the  wicked 
himself,  and  he  shall  be  holden  with  the  cords  of  his 
sins ;  he   shall  die   without  instruction,  and  in  the 
greatness  of  his  folly   he  shall  go  astray,"  Prov. 

V.  20. 

To  finish  the  testimony  published  in  the  Old  Tes- 
tament against  this  sin,  take  notice  that  the  whore 
and  Sodomite  are  condemned  in  the  same  sentence  ; 
to  teach  us,  I  apprehend,  to  what  horrid  lengths,  in 
wickedness,  lewdness  will  lead  ;  therefore  both  ought 
to  be  detested.  "  There  shall  be  no  whore  of  the 
daughters  of  Israel,  nor  Sodomite  of  the  sons  of 
Israel,"  Deut.  xxii.  21. 

This  ought  to  silence  the  ignorance  of  foolish  men, 
who  wax  confident  in  defence  of  fornication,  from  a 
notion  that  it  is  condemned  only  in  two  or  three  pas- 
sages in  the  New  Testament. 

Were  it  so,  this  would  be  sufficient ;  for  a  shigle 
declaration  from  God  of  his  will  claims  from  us 
no  less  regard  and  obedience,  than  if  it  was  often  re- 
peated. But  instead  of  a  passage  or  two  only  in  the 
New  Testament,  which  absolutely  condemn  fornica- 
tion, no  sin  can  be  named  (contempt  of  Christ  cruci- 

p  p 


.^^6  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

lied  excepted)  which  is  mentioned  so  often,  or  more 
strongly  marked  as  the  object  of  God's  wrath.  Our 
ahnighty  Judge  not  only  ranks  it  with  crimes  of  the 
deepest  dye,  Mat.  xv.  19,  Mark  vii.  21,  but  his 
great  apostle  scarcely  writes  an  epistle  without 
some  alarming  prohibition  against  it.  In  one  place, 
he  beautifully  opposes  the  benevolent  gratification  of 
our  natural  appetite  in  a  lawful  way,  to  their  terrible 
condition  who  live  in  lewd  commerce  with  women  : 
*'  Marriage  is  honourable  in  all,  and  the  bed  unde- 
filed  ;  but  whoremongers  and  adulterers  God  will 
judge,"  Heb.  xiii.  In  another,  he  not  only  affirms, 
that  adultery,  fornication,  lasciviousness,  and  un- 
cleanness,  are  the  w'orks  of  the  flesh,  of  our  cor- 
rupt nature,  but  with  remarkable  vehemence  he 
presses  us  to  lay  it  to  heart  as  a  certain  truth,  that 
these  things  absolutely  exclude  men  from  heaven  : 
"  Of  the  which  1  tell  you  before,  as  I  have  also  told 
you  in  time  past,  that  they  which  do  such  things 
shall  not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God,"  Gal.  v.  21. 
In  his  judgment,  lewdness  ought  to  have  no  exis- 
tence withii  I  the  pale  of  the  Christian  church.  ''  For- 
nication and  all  uncleanness,  let  knot  be  once  men- 
tioned amongst  you,  as  becometh  saints.  For  this  ye 
know,  that  no  whoremonger  nor  unclean  person  hath 
any  inheritance  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ  and  of 
God,"  Ephes.  v.  And,  lest  the  plausible  plead- 
ings for  lust  (in  which  libertines  of  fine  parts  are  so 
expert)  should  seduce  any  weak  believer  to  fancy 
lewdness  may  be  practised  with  impunity,  this  awful 
caution  is  given:  "  Let  no  man  deceive  you  with 
vain  words :  for,  because  of  these  things  cometh 
the  wrath  of  God  upon  the  children  of  disobedience. 
Be  not  ye,  therefore,  partakers  with  them,"  Ephts. 
v.  The  same  doctrine  is  stronglv  enforced  on  the 
Chrisiians  at   Thessalonica ;   *'  This  is  the  will  of 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  ^:^^7 

God,  even  your  sanctification,  that  you  should  ab- 
stain from  fornication,  that  every  one  of  }ou  bhould 
know  how  to  possess  his  vessel  in  sanctification  and 
honour,  not  in  the  kist  of  concupiscence  as  the  Gen- 
tiles, which  know  not  God  :  for  God  hath  not  called 
us  to  uncleanness,  but  unto  holiness.  He,  there- 
fore, that  despiseth  [what  is  said  of  the  sin  and  dan- 
ger of  lewdness,  and  the  duty  of  chastity],  despiseth 
not  men,  but  God." 

In  his  epistle  to  the  Christians  at  Corinth,  a  city 
infamous  to  a  proverb  for  lewdness,  he  inspires  the 
believers  in  Christ  with  a  horror  of  that  sin,  by 
teaching  them  it  is  a  dreadful  profanation,  and  the 
worst  kind  of  sacrilege  to  turn  a  temple  consecrated 
to  God  (and  such  the  Christian  is)  into  an  habitation 
for  the  spirit  of  uncleanness.  "  Know  ye  not  that 
your  bodies  are  the  members  of  Christ  ?  Shall  I  then 
take  the  members  of  Christ,  and  make  them  the 
members  of  a  harlot  ?  God  forbid.  What,  knov/ 
ye  not  that  your  body  is  the  temple  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  which  is  in  you,  which  ye  have  of  God,  and 
ye  are  not  your  own?"  I  Cor.  vi.  "  Ye  are  the 
temple  of  the  living  God  ;  whoso  defilcth  the  tem- 
ple of  God,  him  will  God  destroy."  A  sentence 
twice  confirmed  by  St.  John  in  the  book  of  Revela- 
tion ;  for  whoremongers,  he  declares,  are  shut  out 
of  the  gates  of  the  heavenly  city.  Rev.  xxii.  15. 
Whoremongers  have  their  part  assigned  them  in  the 
lake  which  burneth  with  fire  and  brimstone,  which 
is  the  second  death.  Rev.  xxi. 

Sum  up  now  what  has  been  advanced  in  proof  of 
the  evil  and  sinfulness  of  lewdness,  and  you  mubt  be 
convinced  how  much  it  is  the  duty  of  every  Chris- 
tian, as  he  loves  God,  reverences  his  w^ord,  and 
values  his  own  salvation,  to  deny  himself  in  e\ery 
propensity  he  may  feel  to  indulge  uniavvfuiiy  hisnat^. 


308  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  Mx\N. 

ural  appetite  for  women,  and  to  flee  from  fornication, 
as  he  would  from  the  face  of  a  serpent*. 

Know,  therefore,  that  you  must  come  to  this  de- 
termination, either  to  trample  upon  the  Christian  re^ 
velation,  and  renounce  every  hope  built  upon  it  of 
finding  mxrcy  from  God,  or  to  mortify  your  mem- 
bers, by  abstaining  from  fornication  and  unclean- 
ness  ;  at  all  times  assured,  that  this  sin  alone  (sup- 
posing it  could  possibly  consist  with  the  observance 
of  Christian  duty  in  other  respects)  will  drown  the  soul 
in  perdition.  This  full  persuasion  of  the  sin  of  for- 
nication is  absolutely  necessary  to  secure  young 
men,  on  their  entrance  into  the  world,  from  what  is 
generally  the  first  instance  of  premeditated  rebellion 
against  God,  and  the  first  means  of  ri vetting  on  the 
sinner  that  chain  which  drags  down  its  thousands  to 
the  prison  of  hell. 

Further,  whenever  any  end  is  proposed,  or  duty 
enjoined,  the  means  necessary  to  attain  the  one,  or 
perform  the  other,  are  tacitly  included  in  the  general 
precept ;  and  whatever  renders  the  practice  of  duty 
so  very  precarious,  is  also  virtually  forbidden  where 
it  can  be  avoided.  From  this  self-evident  truth,  every 
Christian  must  carry  his  self-denial  much  beyond  a 
mere  abstinence  from  the  gross  acts  of  fornication 
and  uncleanness.     We  may  abstain  thus,  from  pru- 

*  It  is  necessary  that  all  young  persons  in  a  single  state 
should  deeply  ponder  these  arguments  ;  because  lewdness  has 
a  party  in  its  tivour  from  our  constitution.  Numerous,  and 
daring  are  those  who  pleeid  for  lewdness.  To  such  a  shocking- 
height  is  this  attempt  carried,  that  chastity  is  generally  regard- 
ed as  impracticable,  except  in  females,  who,  without  the  repu- 
tation of  it,  would  never  be  received  into  families  of  fashion. 
By  this  means,  self-denial  against  the  impulses  of  lust  is  ac- 
counted a  grievous  task,  and  the  Bible,  which  enjoins  it,  an 
odious  book.  Thus  men's  passions  are  warmly  engaged  to 
fight  against  Gcd  whose  word  so  loudly  proclaims  the  evil  of 
their  darling  lust. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  309 

dcnce  and  self-considerations,  without  any  love  of 
purity.     A  Christian  must  resokitely  shun  all  incite- 
ments to  unchaste  desires  ;  imitating  the  example  of 
Job,  who  would  not  so  much  as  suffer  his  eyes  to 
fix  on  any  object  that  might  prove  a  snare.     Our 
Lord  confirms  the  wisdom,  and  enjoins  the  necessity 
of  this  vigilance,  by  branding,  as  the  adultery  of  the 
heart,  the  looking  upon  a  woman  to  lust  after  her. 
The   temper  of  our   heart   stamps  our   character. 
No  one,  therefore,  is  chaste,  who  cherishes  unclean 
thoughts,  or  can  suffer  a  wanton  idea  to  rest  upon 
his  mind,  or  a  sound  exciting  it  to  play  on  his  ear ; 
for  a  renewed  mind,  endued  with  filial  fear  of  God, 
and  knowledge  of  sin,  has  at  least  as  much  delicacy 
respecting  what  is  base  and  filthy,  as  fine  breeding 
inspires  respecting  polite  behaviour.     A  gentleman 
is  not  only  free  from  the  coarse  manners  of  a  clown, 
but  from  every  thing  approaching  to  such  rudeness  ; 
and  a  true  Christian,  fired  with  love  to  God,  and 
ambition  to  walk  worthy  of  his  kingdom  and  glory, 
will  cultivate  purity  of  heart  with  all  care,  and  avoid, 
as  infectious,  every  person,  jest,  or  object,  savour- 
ing of  lasciviousness. 

Here  then  a  noble  province  opens  for  Christian 
self-denial !  Here  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  whole 
church  of  Christ,  in  condemning  and  opposing  every 
fashionable  way  intended  by  the  world  to  gratify 
lewd  desires,  is  most  conspicuous.  Of  this  kind, 
are  wanton  glances  of  the  eye,  that  index  to  what 
passes  within  ;  the  melody  of  amorous  songs,  that 
double  entendre,  mixed  dancings,  love  novels,  and 
above  all  stage  plays.  For  in  this  amusement, 
which  (in  defiance  of  common  sense  and  experience, 
no  less  than  our  Christian  faith)  the  world  will  main- 
tain is  innocent;  in  this  amusement,  whatever  can 
corrupt  the  mind  is  set  off  to  greatest  advantage. 
Every  lewd  allusion  receives  strong  emphasis  from 


310  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

the  actor's  air  and  voice,  whilst  the  greater  part  of 
the  audience  express  aloud  the  filth}  jo\  it  gives 
them.  And  if  a  piece  untainted  with  an  obscene 
tincture  should  gain  admittance  on  the  stage,  the 
house  must  still  have  their  prurient  humour  gratified 
hi  the  epilogue  or  farce,  by  innuendos,  that  our  chief 
pleasure  consists  in  what  we  know  naturally  with  the 
brute  beasts*. 

To  live  in  this  world,  in  direct  opposition  to  its 
favourite  taste,  and  preserve  chastity  of  mind,  is  a 
noble  self  denial  faith  in  Christ  effects,  and  an  indis- 
pensable duty  in  all  his  disciples. 

*  Some  may  condemn  this  censure  of  the  school  of  virtue, 
which  the  stage  is  often  (one  would  think  ironically)  called,  as 
harsh  and  malignant;  yet  it  is  supported  by  some  of  the  world's 
great  and  favourite  writers.  Archbishop  Tillotson  was  never 
thought  rigorous  or  enthusiastic.  Let  those  who  plead  for  this 
fashionable  amusement  hear  what  he  has  published  on  the  sub-» 
ject,  and  blush  and  repent,  or  avow  their  infidelity. 

"  As  the  stage  now  is,  plays  are  intolerable,  and  not  fit  to  be 
permitted  in  any  civilized,  much  less  a  Christian  nation.  They 
<lo  most  notoriously  minister  both  to  infidelity  and  vice.  By 
their  profaneness,  they  are  apt  to  instil  bad  principles,  and  by 
their  lewdness  to  dispose  to  lewd  and  dissolute  practice  ;  there- 
fore, I  do  not  see  hovj  any  jicr son  pretending  to  sobriety  arid 
-virtue^  and  csjiecially  to  the  pure  and  holy  religion  of  our  bles- 
sed Saviour^  can,  without  great  guilt,  and  open  contradiction 
lo  his  holy  profession,  be  fir€sc7it  at  such  lewd  and  immodest 
plays,  Yn\ic\\\G.^s  frecjiient  them,  as  too  many  do,  who  would 
yet  take  it  very  ill  to  be  shut  out  of  the  commumon  of  Christi- 
ans, as  they  certainly  would  have  been  in  the  first  ages  o^' 
Christianity." 

Sermon  on  the  Evil  of  corrupt  Communication, 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  31 J 

SUNDAY  XLII. 

CHAP.  XLII. 
On  Self-denial  respecting  the  Love  of  Money. 

Corrupt  self  must  be  denied  in  its  propensity 
to  covetousness,  which  is  in  us  all :  since  we  are 
all  naturally  desirous  of  wealth,  and  place  much  con- 
fidence in  it.  Commerce  and  custom  perpetually 
cherish  this  evil  desire,  and  the  u^orld  sees  nothing 
wrong  in  being  intent  to  gain  as  much  as  is  possible 
with  a  fair  character.  By  this  means,  what  at  first 
setting  out  in  a  trade  or  profession  was  no  more  than 
an  innocent  desire  of  providing  honestly  for  our- 
selves or  family,  soon  degenerates  into  inordinate 
affection,  and  a  very  wicked  passion. 

The  propensity,  therefore,  to  love  money,  a  Chris- 
tian must  resist  in  its  first  motions,  because  opposite 
to  the  temper  of  mind  which  is  to  govern  him,  and 
a  contradiction  to  his  situation,  who  is  a  stranger  oa 
earth,  standing  in  expectation  of  an  immediate  sepa- 
ration from  ail  things  visible.  But  this  propensity 
to  love  money,  unless  denied,  will  soon  benumb  all 
feeling  of  futurity,  and  suffer  you  to  think  of  nothing 
int(  nsely  or  \\  ith  delight,  but  wealth  and  its  advan- 
tages, utterly  excluding  all  just  ideas  of  religion, 
which  inspire  love  of  God  and  man,  and  give  victory 
over  worldly  lust. 

Besides,  the  gospel  is  intended  to  establish  all 
who  receive  it  in  full  resignation  to  the  will  of  God, 
every  where,  and  in  all  things,  histructing  us  both 
to  be  full  and  to  be  hungry,  both  to  abound  and  to 
suffer  need-  But  a  cmetous  spirit  can  conform  to 
the  will  of  God,  only  so  long  as  his  providence 


51^  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

smiles ;  in  adversity  it  must  fret  and  murmur. 
The  gospel  teaches  us  to  have  our  whole  confidence 
and  delight  in  God,  as  our  chief  happiness ;  but 
love  of  money  soon  brings  a  man  to  conclude  gold 
is  the  God  whose  presence  is  the  richest  blessing, 
and  want  of  it  the  heaviest  curse.  The  gospel  is 
given  on  purpose  to  raise  our  desires  with  increasing 
fervour  towards  God,  to  fix  our  affections  with  im- 
moveable steadfastness  on  things  above,  and  to  en- 
o-age  us  in  the  constant  pursuit  of  them  with  an  ar- 
dour in  some  degree  suited  to  their  worth.  The 
love  of  money  is  incompatible  w^ith  love  to  God,  or 
any  other  idea  of  happiness  in  being  with  him,  than 
as  a  refuge  from  punishment  when  death  comes,  and 
our  idol  fails. 

To  mention  only  one  instance  more  of  the  con- 
tradiction the  love  of  money  bears  to  the  state  of  a 
Christian ;  it  hardens  the  heart  against  the  poor  and 
needy.  Through  fear  of  lessening,  or  desire  of  in- 
creasing our  treasure,  it  will  shut  up  our  bowels  of 
compassion,  till  we  leave  our  ov/n  flesh  to  struggle 
with  sickness  or  want,  and  to  die  unassisted  by  us, 
though  it  be  in  the  powder  of  our  hands  to  relieve 
them.  Directly  opposite  to  this  selfishness  is  the  dis- 
position of  a  christian.  He  is  liberal  and  generous, 
remembering  with  joy  it  is  the  will  of  God  that  those 
who  are  rich  should  be  bounteous,  and  those  who 
have  little  should  gladly  give  of  that  little,  that 
there  may  be  no  want  amongst  his  creatures.  In 
these  several  views,  the  contrariety  which  the  love 
of  money  bears  to  the  temper  of  a  Christian,  respect- 
ing God  or  man,  is  glaring  ;  and  the  duty  therefore 
of  self  denial,  in  subduing  every  propensity  to  it,  in- 
disputable. 

To  enforce  the  practice  of  this  self-denial,  it  is  ne- 
cessary to  explain  the  nature  of  that  covetousness  so 
much  condemned  in  God's  word.     It  is  not  of  the 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  313 

scandalous  kind ;  it  may  rule  the  heart  of  a  man 
esteemed  very  excellent  in  the  world.  The  covet- 
ous, whom  the  Lord  abhors,  Psalm  x,  are  the  very 
persons  of  whom  the  wicked  speak  well.  But  no 
one  speaks  well  of  those  whose  love  of  money  makes 
them  fraudulent  or  miserably  penurious.  The  same 
idea  of  covetousness  is  given  us  by  our  Lord  and 
Juds^e,  in  that  solemn  caution,  Take  heed,  and  be- 
ware  of  covetousness  ;  which  evidently,  in  this  case, 
can  mean  no  more  than  a  persuasion,  that  the  com- 
fort of  life  consists  in  possessing  abundance,  and  for 
that  reason  desiring  to  be  rich.  This  was  the  cov- 
etousness  our  Lord  condemned.  To  give  greater 
weight  to  his  caution,  he  represents  the  love  of  mo. 
ncy  working  in  the  heart,  by  an  instance  which  pas- 
ses every  day  before  our  eyes.  A  man  grows  rich, 
not  through  extortion  or  fraud,  but  industry  and 
skill  is  his  trade;  he  is  delighttd  with  his  success,  and 
prospect  of  being  master  of  an  independent  fortune 
in  a  few  years  :  meanwhile,  he  is  determined  to  be 
frugal,  till  he  leaves  business,  fully  to  enjoy  the 
sweets  of  ease  and  affluence.     Luke  xii.  1 9. 

What  is  there,  it  may  be  said,  to  blame  in  this 
man's  conduct  or  sentiments  ?  Are  they  not  gene- 
ral, and  applauded  in  every  station  ?  Yet  our  Lord 
sets  this  very  man  before  our  eyes,  as  an  instance 
of  one  engrossed  by  covetous  desires  ;  this  man  he 
represents  as  summoned  to  appear  a  crimnal  at  the 
bar  of  his  despised  Maker.  Lo,  this  is  the  man 
whom  our  Lord  exposes  as  a  miserable  wretch  in 
the  midst  of  all  his  golden  hopes,  warning  us  against 
the  detestable  folly  of  loving  money.  '^So  [such  a 
fool  and  such  a  sinner  as  this]  is  he  that  layeth  up 
treasure  for  himself,  [every  worldly- minded  man, 
who  seeks  wealth  as  the  foundation  of  comfort],  and 
b  not  rich  towards  God  in  faith,  hope,  and  love." 


SU  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

St.  Paul,  writing  under  the  influence  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  teaches  us  no  less  forcibly  that  the  desire  of 
riches  is  avarice.  *'  Let  your  conversation  be  with- 
out covetousness,  and  be  content  with  such  things 
as  ye  have ;  for  he  hath  said,  I  will  never  leave  thee, 
nor  forsake  thee,"   Heb.  xiii. 

On  the  contrary,  he  declares  defilement  of  mind 
and  eternal  ruin  are  the  certain  consequences  of  lov- 
ing money.  "  They  that  will  [i.  e.  have  a  will]  to 
be  rich,  fall  into  temptation  and  a  snare,  and  into 
many  foolish  and  hurtful  lusts,  which  drown  men  in 
destruction  and  perdition.  For  the  love  of  money- 
is  the  root  of  all  evil,  which  while  some  coveted  after, 
they  have  erred  from  the  faith,  and  pierced  them- 
selves through  with  many  sorrows,"  I  Tim.  vi. 

Now,  though  it  may  be  deemed  no  arduous  task 
to  keep  free  from  sordid  avarice,  and  accumulation 
of  wealth  by  scandalous  methods,  yet,  to  vanquish 
the  love  of  money,  and  deny  every  propensity  to 
it,  must  be  confessed  a  heroic  instance  of  self-denial. 
For  when  men  engage  in  business,  or  enter  on  a  pro- 
fession, how  strong  are  their  fears  of  failing,  and 
their  desire  of  success!  What  is  the  constant  lan- 
guage of  the  world  ?  They  call  riches  a  blessing,  a 
reward.  They  pay  respect  to  men  nearly  in  exact 
proportion  to  the  abundan.ce  they  possess.  In  these 
circumstances,  nothing  can  be  more  difficult  than  to 
resist  and  conquer  the  love  of  money.  After  using 
diligently,  as  we  are  commanded,  industry  and  skill 
in  our  station,  cheerfully  to  leave  it  in  the  hands  of 
God  to  what  degree  we  shall  grow  rich,  and  wlie- 
ther  ever  at  all ;  resting  assured,  that  if  we  dwell  in 
the  land,  and  do  good  by  a  Christian  life,  our  con- 
dition upon  the  whole  shall  certainly  be  the  very  best 
for  us  :  this  is  self  denial  in  a  high  degree. 

Nothing  can  be  more  contrary  to  our  nature  than 
to  act  from  such  noble  sentiments  as  these,  whilst 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MA>J.  315 

we  live  in  the  temple  of  Mammon,  as  the  world  may 
justly  be  caiicd,  where  scholars  and  philosophers, 
priests  and  people,  high  and  low,  all  pay  their  ado- 
ration to  this  idol.  To  live  in  such  a  world,  free 
from  the  love  of  money,  is  a  deliverance  and  victory 
peculiar  to  the  real  members  of  Christ's  church. 
*'  Who  is  he  that  overcometh  the  world,  but  he  that 
beiieveth  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ  ?" 

If  it  should  be  said,  this  way  of  thinkin,^  and 
acting  seems  to  imply  that  it  is  wrong  far  a  Chris- 
tian to  gain  wealth,  1  answer,  the  word  of  God  only 
condemns  the  desire  of  riches  as  defiling  and  sinful. 
But  if,  whilst  your  heart  is  whole  with  him,  he  is 
pleased  to  make  prosper  whatever  you  do,  your 
wealth  is  plainly  his  gift,  as  much  as  if  it  came  to 
you  by  legacy  or  inheritance.  It  is  the  act  of  God 
to  call  you  up  to  a  higher  station,  who  w^as  content 
in  your  own,  and  to  intrust  you  with  more  talents 
to  improve  for  his  glory.  The  dift'erence  between 
gaining  wealth  put  in  this  manner  into  your  hands, 
and  desirijig  to  groxv  rich,  is  the  same  as  between 
a  worthiebs,  ambiiious  intruder  into  a  public  post, 
seeking  nothing  but  his  own  base  interest,  and  a 
man  sought  out  from  knowledge  of  his  excellency, 
and  invested  u  ith  the  same  office,  to  preserve  the 
common- weal.  Those  who  see  no  material,  no  ne- 
cessary distinction  in  the  two  cases,  are  already  blind- 
ed by  the  love  of  money. 

Nor  let  any  deem  it  useless  or  severe  so  strictly 
to  deny  every  propensity  in  the  heart  to  this  sin. 
Useless  it  is  not,  because  we  are  never  secure  from 
the  dominion  of  our  passions,  but  by  guarding 
against  the  first  plausible  pleas  for  their  gaining  an 
ascendency  over  us.  Were  we  to  allow  the  desire  of 
being  richer  than  the  providence  of  God,  unsolicited, 
sees  fit  to  make  us,  what  a  suspicion  nnist  we  have 
of  his  love  for  us  !   -  How  soon  be  insensiblv  led  into 


316  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

stronger  desires  to  be  rich,  till  every  scheme  to 
gratify  that  desire,  not  infamous,  would  be  greedily 
embraced,  and  the  love  of  the  world  enthroned  in  our 
hearts  ! 

Whereas  our  heavenly  Father,  by  commanding 
us  to  rest  with  full  affiance  on  his  providential  good- 
ness, in  the  diligent  discharge  of  our  business,  shuts 
up  every  pass  by  which  covetousness  w^ould  ap- 
proach to  enslave  us  ;  and,  by  a  resolute  refusal  of 
all  correspondence  with  the  enemy,  we  are  guarded 
against  his  treachery,  no  less  than  his  violence.  Nei- 
ther is  the  self- denial,  which  extends  to  suppress 
even  a  single  v/ish  of  having  more  than  is  sufficient 
for  the  present,  irksome  ;  because  our  corrupt  na- 
ture works  most  to  our  trouble  and  vexation,  when 
we  are  but  just  within  the  limits  of  what  is  lawful. 
The  liberty  and  pleasure  of  the  soul  enlarge  in  pro- 
portion as  it  moves  out  of  the  neighbourhood  of  sin, 
when,  instead  of  regarding  its  paths  as  paths  of  pleas- 
antness, could  they  be  reconciled  with  duty,  we  fly 
from  them  as  pestilent,  and  are  weary  even  of  the 
faintest  suggestions  of  evil. 

Add  to  this,  so  far  is  desire  of  riches  from  giving 
enjoyment  of  them,  that  it  very  soon  fills  the  mind 
with  anxiety.  So  far  from  augmenting  their  com- 
fort who  cherish  such  a  desire,  that  it  turns  every 
loss  into  a  grievance,  and  creates  vexation  on  a  thou- 
sand  occasions,  without  cause  or  end  ;  whilst  all  the 
diseases  of  trade,  false  weights  and  measures,  extor- 
tion and  roguery,  so  loudly  complained  of  and  so 
heavily  felt,  arise  only  from  hatching  this  cockatrice 
tg^,  love  of  money  ;  and,  till  that  is  crushed,  men 
will  defraud,  and  injure,  and  oppress,  and  devour 
one  another. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  31? 

SUNDAY  XLIIL 

CHAP.  XLIII. 
On  Love  of  Praise. 

C/ORRUPT  self  must  be  denied  in  seeking  die 
praise  of  men.  Unless  something  nobler  than  earth 
can  give  be  the  grand  object  of  pursuit,  praise  de- 
lights the  mind,  as  sounds  exquisitely  melodious  do 
a  musical  ear.  The  Heathens,  with  one  consent 
avowed  this  was  the  spring  of  all  that  gives  lustre  to 
their  names  ;  and  the  Pharisees  did  all  their  works  to 
be  seen  of  men.  Oar  nature,  the  very  same  as 
theirs,  pains  us  whenever  we  meet  with  disrespect. 
How  kneely  do  expressions  of  reproach  pierce,  and 
how  much  provoke  us !  The  visible  pleasure  also 
with  which  we  listen  to  our  own  praise,  is  most 
evident,  inciting  flatterers  to  practice  upon  us  by 
their  designing  arts.  This  strong  innate  love  of 
praise  and  honour  from  men  a  Christian  must  deny. 
It  must  be  the  motives  of  his  conduct,  or  the  end 
at  which  he  aims,  because,  whilst  this  principle 
sways  his  mind,  the  judgment  of  the  world,  not  the 
infallible  decisions  of  scripture,  will  be  the  rule  of 
his  life.  In  every  case  he  will  consider,  not  v;hat 
duty  or  the  plain  command  of  God  requires,  but 
what  will  be  for  his  reputation.  What  will  the 
world  think  of  me  ?  will  prove  an  alarm  to  his  fear, 
fatal  to  every  intention  of  living  as  a  Christian  must ; 
the  fear  of  appearing  an  enthusiast  by  abstaining  from 
fashionable  vices,  from  criminal  waste  of  time,  and 
from  profaneness.  This  will  reconcile  him  in  time 
tQ  things  most  opposite  to  his  duty.     Such  a  one 


518  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

may  indeed  have  some  knowledge  of  the  truth,  but 
self-love  will  compel  him  to  hold  it  in  unrighteous- 
ness :  and  he  will  be  more  guilty  than  those  who  are 
utterly  ignorant  of  their  duty,  by  stifling  his  convic- 
tions, in  order  to  enjoy  the  favour  of  men. 

Further,  this  love  of  praise  will  not  only  lead  you 
inevitably  into  evil  compliances,  but  utterly  taint  all 
in  you  which  has  the  appearance  of  being  good. 
As  base  designing  courtiers  know  no  other  standard 
to  measure  their  conduct  but  their  prince's  pleasure, 
so  will  you  refuse  to  avow  the  belief  of  any  doctrine, 
or  the  necessity  of  any  practice,  which  are  not  in 
good  repute  with  the  world,  even  though  you  know 
both  to  be  strongly  enforced  in  God's  word,  as  the 
truth,  and  only  way  of  salvation. 

The  love  of  praise  from  men,  thus  opposing  our 
obedience  to  the  will  of  our  Maker,  we  must  deny 
its  pleasing,  but  treacherous  insinuations.  For  as 
that  word  teaches  nothing  but  v/hat  is  necessary  and 
infinitelv  beneficial  too,  we  must  in  all  thins:s  con- 
form  to  it.  Our  single  aim  and  constant  ambition 
must  be,  to  Vv^alk  before  God  to  all  v.ell- pleasing, 
regardless,  whilst  we  act  thus  conscientiously,  whe- 
ther men  approve  or  condemn  our  principles  or  con- 
duct. If,  in  the  discharge  of  our  duty,  and  bold 
confession  of  the  faith  of  Christ,  we  meet  with 
praise,  as  certainly  we  shall  from  all  who  love  God, 
we  may  take  encouragement  from  thence,  and  be 
thankful  to  him  for  his  grace.  If,  on  the  contrary, 
abuse  and  contempt  are  poured  on  us,  we  must,  un- 
moved, persevere  to  offend  those  whose  distempered 
minds  cannot  bear  fidelity  to  God.  Whatever  reluc- 
tance wc  may  feel  within,  we  must  be  proof  against 
all  the  severe  methods  used  to  make  love  of  cha- 
racter work  upon  us  to  suppress  or  damp  our  zeal 
for  the  truth,  and  the  nianner  of  life  it  obliges  us  to 
lead.     A  noble  species  of  self-denial,  in  which  ChriS- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  319 

tians  distinguish  themselves.  For  though  the  love 
of  praise  be  naturally  no  less  sweet  to  them  than  to 
others,  yet  they  have  motives  sufficient  to  wean  them 
from  seeking  it.  Jesus  Christ,  the  object  of  their 
hope,  love,  and  delight,  is  present  to  their  mind. 
They  see  him  not  only  despised,  but  outraged,  giv- 
ing his  back  to  the  smiters,  and  his  cheeks  to  them 
that  plucked  off  the  hair.  Frequent  contemplation 
of  this  affecting  object  disposes  the  mind  to  bear  con- 
tempt from  the  same  sort  of  men  who  spit  upon  our 
Lord.  Besides  this  weighty  reason,  not  to  covet  the 
praise  of  men,  who  love  only  what  is  agreeable  to 
their  own  false  maxims  and  pursuits.  Christians  arc 
taught  to  expect  contempt  on  account  of  their  attach- 
ment to  Christ,  and  exhorted  neither  to  be  surpris- 
ed nor  discouraged  at  it. 

When  all  the  professing  people  of  God  used  the 
same  mode  of  worship,  and  no  opposition  was  made 
on  account  of  any  supposed  innovation  in  religion, 
enmity  was  expressed  with  great  resentment  against 
a  truly  excellent  life.  "  The  wicked  seelh  the  righ- 
teous, and  gnashing  upon  them  with  his  teeth.  The 
wicked  have  drawn  out  the  sword,  and  bent  the  bow 
to  slay  such  as  be  of  upright  conversation,"  Psalm 
XXX  vii.  When  the  publication  of  the  gospel  is  fore- 
told, the  Almighty  exhorts  all  who  should  be  dis- 
posed to  obey  it  not  to  suffer  love  of  praise,  or  fear 
of  shame,  to  make  them  renounce  or  dissemble  their 
faith.  "  Harkcn  unto  me,  ye  that  know  righteous- 
ness, the  people  in  whose  heart  is  my  law,  fear  ye 
not  the  reproach  of  men,  neither  be  ye  afraid  of  their 
revilings,"  Isaiah  li.  7.  When  Jesus  himself  deline- 
ates the  graces  which  adorn  and  distinguish  his  faith- 
ful followers,  viz.  humility,  meekness,  love  of  righ- 
teousness,  purity,  and  mere},  he  immediately  adds, 
''  Blessed  are  ye,  whiii  men  shall  revile  you,  and 
persecute  you  for  righteousness  sake.''    For  he  knew 


520  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

the  character,  though  a  beauteous  resemblance  of 
his  own,  would  upbraid  men  of  partial  superficial 
virtue,  and  gall  those  of  a  corrupt  life. 

These  instructions  strongly  aid  a  sense  of  our  duty 
to  seek  only  the  honour  that  cometh  from  God  ;  and 
are  of  great  efficacy  to  cool  the  heart,  which  would 
otherwise  burn  for  reputation.  While  Christians 
are  thus  studying  only  to  be  approved  of  God,  their 
singleness  of  intention,  according  to  that  gracious 
promise,  is  rewarded  with  the  light  of  truth,  love, 
and  holiness,  in  which  they  enjoy  more  than  a  re- 
compence  for  the  loss  of  human  praise,  or  the  con- 
tempt poured  on  their  understanding,  choice,  and 
conduct. 

Further,  self  must  be  denied  in  our  enjoyment  of 
lawful  comforts.  Intemperance,  lewdness,  covet- 
ousness,  and  vain- glory,  are  in  every  degree  defiling 
and  sinful.  Nothing  can  be  urged  in  their  defence 
by  those  who  believe  the  Bible,  or  reason  justly. 
But,  after  these  corruptions  of  heart  are  conquered, 
there  remains  much  exercise  for  self-denial.  Our 
hearts  must  be  disengaged  from  temporal  blessings, 
which  have  no  intrinsic  worth,  that  we  may  receive 
the  benefit  they  were  intended  to  give,  without  put- 
ting our  peace  in  their  power.  And  considering 
how  very  uncertain  all  outward  comforts  are,  and 
how  impossible  it  is  to  secure  the  enjoyment  of  them, 
our  interest,  no  less  than  duty,  requires  that  we 
should  sit  loose  to  them. 

Amongst  these  lawful  comforts,  in  which  self 
must  be  denied,  our  dearest  relations  are  included : 
for  though  much  love  is  due  to  them,  and  a  great 
tenderness  of  affection,  from  whence  much  pleasure 
springs,  still  God  alone  must  possess  our  chief  love. 
But  without  a  jealous  watch,  when  our  affection  is 
tender  as  it  ought  to  be,  it  will  soon  intrench  upon 
what  Vi'e  owe  to  him,    and  render  us  lukev/arm. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  321 

Excessive  love  for  a  husband,  wife,  or  child,  will 
prove  as  fatal  to  the  soul,  and  as  injurious  to  God, 
as  excessive  love  of  money,  wine,  or  voluptuousness. 
It  will  enslave  us  to  an  idol,  which  we  shall  studious- 
ly seek  to  please,  and  be  fearful  to  oft'end  above  all 
things.  Our  happiness  will  center  in  this  short-lived 
precarious  idol,  and  its  removal  prove  a  stroke  too 
heavy  to  bear  with  Christian  submission.  The  dan- 
ger of  this  inordinate  affection  with  respect  to  nobler 
objects  than  the  covetous,  aspiring,  or  lewd  pursue, 
is  expressly  mentioned  in  scripture,  and  self-denial 
in  this  instance  enjoined.  '*  If  any  man  come  to  me, 
and  hate  not  his  father,  and  mother,  and  wife,  and 
children,"  (as  much  renounce  all  fondness  for  them 
which  would  hinder  faithfulness  in  my  service,  and 
supreme  love  to  my  person,  as  if  he  hated  them), 
**  he  cannot  be  my  disciple,  his  heart  cannot  be  whole 
with  me,"  Luke  xiv. 

St.  Paul  inculcates  the  same  degree  of  self-denial 
respecting  our  dearest  earthly  comforts,  founding 
his  doctrine  on  an  everlasting  reason.  ''  Brethren, 
the  time  is  short ;  it  remaineth  that  both  they  that 
have  wives  be  as  though  they  had  none  ;  and  they 
that  weep  [for  the  loss  of  them],  as  though  they 
wept  not ;  and  they  that  rejoice,  as  though  they  re- 
joiced not ;  and  they  that  buy,  as  though  they  pos- 
sessed not ;  and  they  that  use  this  world,  as  not  abus- 
ing it ;  for  the  fashion  of  this  world  passeth  away  ;" 
1  Cor.  vii.  Short-lived  as  we  are  ourselves,  our  best 
earthly  comforts  are  often  still  shorter  in  their  dura- 
tion. Wherefore  we  act  only  according  to  the  truth 
of  our  condition  in  obeying  God  by  moderating  our 
affections  towai'ds  all  that  are  upon  the  earth.  By 
this  means  we  shall  receive  the  comfort  they  are  able 
to  give,  and  still  enjoy  life  in  a  separation  from  them 
when  that  takes  place.     The  unchangeable  all-suffi- 

R   R 


322-  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

elent  God  will  be  our  treasure,  and  the  failure  of  the 
citerns  which  too  may  hew  out  for  themselves,  will 
enhance  the  more  to  us  the  fountain  of  living  waters. 
To  comprehend,  with  a  more  lively  impression,  the 
excellent  advantage  of  being  thus  disengaged  from 
inordinate  affection  towards  objects  very  dear  to  us, 
look  upon  the  fond  mother,  stupid  and  dumb  with 
grief,  refusing,  like  Rachel,  to  be  comforted  be- 
cause her  child  is  gone,  and  harbouring  hard  thoughts 
of  the  adorable  God,  who  gives  and  takes  away  as 
he  pleases.  Turn  to  other  objects.  Observe  the 
settled  melancholy  which  oppresses  them.  They 
have  lost,  by  a  sudden  stroke,  the  husband  or  wife 
of  their  youth,  in  whom  they  promised  themselves 
years  of  joy.  They  see  their  happiness  shivered  all 
in  pieces,  and  by  the  interment  of  the  idol  on  which 
they  doated,  the  whole  creation  is  become  to  them 
a  desert ;  the  comforts  others  enjoy  in  the  married 
state  aggravate  their  anguish,  and  all  their  refuge  is 
in  the  gloomy  thought,  that  death  will  soon  deliver 
them. 

These  afflicting  scenes,  which  so  often  present 
themselves,  prove,  no  act  of  duty  can  be  more  rea- 
sonable or  necessary  than  that  of  resisting  and  sup- 
pressing all  inordinate  love  towards  our  dear  rela- 
tions. Who  can  say  they  shall  not  be  torn  from  us 
in  a  moment  ?  And  then,  if  we  have  delighted  our- 
selves in  them  beyond  measure,  they  will  surely 
pierce  us  through  with  many  pangs  for  their  loss ; 
pangs  which  will  not  only  cut  us  off  from  heavenly 
consolations,  but  fill  us  with  murmurings  against 
God;,  bringing  upon  us  his  heavy  displeasure. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  323 

SUNDAY  XLIV, 

CHAP.  XLIV. 
On  evil  ShamCo 

Self  must  be  denied  in  overcoming  evil  shame. 
We  all  naturally  follow  custom  and  fashion,  and, 
though  not  fired  with  love  of  fame,  we  still  feel  it 
grievous  to  be  reproached  as  a  bigot,  a  fool,  an  en- 
thusiast. Wherefore,  when  men  observe  that  an 
appearance  of  seriousness  or  attachment  to  scripture 
principles,  in  condemnation  of  corrupt  practices  and 
fashionable  errors,  will  make  them  pass  as  disagreea- 
ble persons,  unfit  for  polite  company  till  they  gain 
more  liberal  notions,  they  are  afraid  of  religion. 
Pride  strongly  pleads  not  to  come  forward  as  friends 
to  the  truth  of  God,  where  it  is  despised,  but  appear 
approvers  of  every  thing  in  the  mode,  though  we 
condemn  it  in  our  heart. 

This  evil  shame  must  be  denied  in  all  its  work- 
ings,  because  it  is  base,  a  great  encouragement  to 
iniquity,  and  destructive  to  our  own  souls. 

Nothing  can  be  baser  than  a  dastardly  obse- 
quiousness to  the  opinions  of  men.  It  not  only 
speaks  the  dominion  cowardice  has  over  us,  but  it 
is  a  most  ungrateful  return  for  more  knowledge  than 
others  have  attained.  Did  God  give  you  this  know- 
ledge, to  which  thousands  are  strangers,  that  you 
might  affront  and  put  the  greater  indignity  upon  him, 
by  preferring  your  own  paltry  reputation  to  his  fa- 
vour ?  that  you  might  appear  dark  as  the  world  in 
your  udderstanding,  rather  than  bear  ridicule  from 
the  foes  of  truth,  onlv  foes  because  their  deeds  arc 


^24  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

evil  ?  Where  must  a  soldier,  ashamed  of  his  king 
or  service,  appear  ?  Yet  what  fidelity  does  he  owe 
his  king,  what  advantage  does  he  reap  in  his  service, 
worthy  to  be  named  with  your  ties  of  duty  to  the 
Lord  over  all,  or  with  the  benefits  he  hath  poured 
out  upon  you  ?  Both  justice  and  gratitude,  therefore, 
oblige  us  all,  as  far  as  we  know  the  truth,  and  our 
duty,  to  avow  both,  and  not  be  ashamed  of  being 
counted  righteous  over- much,  by  men  who  have 
nothing  more  than  the  senseless  form  of  godliness,  if 
so  much  as  even  that. 

Besides,  till  we  stand  forth  advocates  for  the  cause 
of  God  and  Christian  practice,  in  a  manner  becom», 
inp*  our  condition  in  life,  we  contribute  to  the  in- 
crease of  wickedness.  What  all  men  either  do  them- 
selves, or  express  no  abhorrence  of  in  others,  we 
naturally  conclude  can  have  no  great  harm  in  it. 
Thus  at  length  all  sense  of  Christian  religion  is  ban- 
ished from  society,  and  vice  and  profaneness  tri- 
umph, all  their  deformity  in  the  public  judgment 
being  lost. 

These  pernicious  evils  would  be  certainly  pre^- 
vented,  if  the  fear  of  shame  and  reproach  for  God's 
sake,  was  resolutely  vanquished.  Inferiors  may 
with  modesty  express  a  disapproving  silence,  or  a 
cool  reserve  against  vice  and  profaneness  ;  and  where 
age,  rank,  or  condition  authorize,  open  and  sharp  re- 
bukes of  all  that  is  immoral  and  irreligious  are  ne- 
cessary to  keep  up  the  distinction  of  good  and  evil, 
duty  and  transgression. 

By  this  means,  men  are  reminded  of  their  depen- 
dence upon  God.  And  often  a  word  spoken  in 
maintenance  of  his  cause  is  by  his  grace  made  ef- 
fectual to  awaken  the  conscience,  and  change  the 
heart.  But  if,  from  mean  self-love  and  fear  of  los- 
ing favour  with  worldly  men,  we  refuse  by  any  of 
these  methods  to  testify  our  sense  of  God's  authority. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  525 

to  confess  our  belief  of  his  truth,  hatred  of  sin,  and 
love  of  holiness,  we  become  accessories  to  the 
abounding  of  iniquity.  For  a  tame  spectator  of  in- 
sults offered  to  his  Maker,  and  an  unconcerned  wit- 
ness of  those  hard  speeches  which  ungodly  sinners 
are  wont  to  speak  against  him,  will  ever  be  judged 
by  the  offenders  themselves  to  join  in  their  senti- 
ments,  at  least  to  see  nothing  detestable  in  them. 

But  if  neither  gratitude  for  a  multitude  of  mer- 
cies from  God,  nor  fear  of  strengthening  and  increas- 
ing the  workers  of  iniquity,  can  prevail  against  our 
natural  cowardice  in  his  cause,  we  are  taught  to  op- 
pose fear  to  fear  ;  to  weigh  against  the  shame  of  be- 
ing reproached  by  men,  the  insufferable  pain  of 
everlasting  contempt  from  God  and  angels-  For 
immediately  after  the  injunction  of  that  self-denial, 
without  which  it  is  impossible  to  follow  Christ,  the 
trying  instance  of  losing  our  character  for  his  sake  is 
pointed  out.  *'  Whosoever  shall  be  ashamed  of  mc 
and  of  my  words  in  this  adulterous  and  sinful  gene- 
ration, of  him  also  shall  the  Son  of  man  be  ashamed, 
when  he  cometh  in  the  glory  of  his  Father  with  the 
holy  angels.  But  whosoever  shall  deny  me  before 
men,  him  will  I  deny  also  before  my  Father  which  is 
in  heaven,''  Mark  viii.  S8, 

Not  that  we  must  draw  back  even  from  severer 
trials,  than  loss  of  character.  We  must  take  up  our 
cross,  and  forsake  all,  sooner  than  desert  our  duty, 
or  renouqce  our  faith.  To  this  trial  the  far  greater 
part  of  mankind  are  constantly  called,  though  the 
sword  of  superstition  is  sheathed,  and  the  burning  of 
heretics  is  held  in  general  detestation.  For  men  have 
no  less  fear  of  being  starved  than  of  being  tied  to  the 
stake.  Now,  the  dependence  all  inferior  ranks  of 
men  have  upon  the  great  and  opulent,  make  them 
conclude  they  can  never  prosper  without  their  coun- 
tenance and  fiivour.     When  a  young  man  opens  hiv 


226  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

shop,  or  enters  on  the  profession  of  law,  physic,  or 
divinity,  how  desirable  to  be  employed  by  the  rich, 
or  to  have  their  smile,  and  be  admitted  as  a  welcome 
guest  to  their  table  !  Who  can  gain  considerably  un- 
less in  cities  of  commerce,  or  rise  to  eminence  in  any 
profession,  without  their  interest  ?  Hence  arises  a 
most  violent  temptation,  which  very  few  have  integ- 
rity and  fortitude  to  withstand ;  a  temptation  on  no 
account  to  be  disagreeable  to  the  great  and  wealthy, 
or  to  their  principal  domestic,  by  whom  so  much 
may  be  got  or  lost.  Are  they  therefore  profane? 
Not  only  the  tradesman,  but  the  lawyer,  physician, 
and  divine,  will  be  afraid  of  confessing  the  faith,  or 
practising  the  duty  of  a  Christian.  Are  they  lewd 
and  intemperate  ?  How  rare  to  find  either  trades- 
man, lawyer,  physician,  or  divine,  who  will  risk  his 
worldly  interest  by  frowning  upon  their  impiety,  re- 
velling, lasciviousness,  and  excess,  or  dare  to  utter 
one  word  in  condemnation  of  such  vile  conduct ! 
Against  the  remonstrances  of  conscience,  self-inter- 
est will  lead  a  man  carefully  to  avoid  displeasing  his 
best  customers,  his  most  profitable  clients,  or  pa- 
tients, or  perhaps  his  only  patron,  who  can  raise  him 
in  the  church. 

No  one  can  deny,  that  the  principal  inhabitants 
in  every  place  keep  the  vast  multitude  of  their  in- 
feriors in  awe ;  noblemen  and  gentlemen  of  large 
estate  keep  in  awe  all  who  want  to  make  their  for- 
tune. And  farmers  and  tradesmen,  all  who  earn  their 
bread  under  them.  And  where  superiors  are  earthly 
and  sensual,  scarcely  will  you  find  their  dependents 
more  religious  than  themselves.  This  is  one  of  the 
chief  obstacles  to  the  success  of  the  gospel.  In  this 
situation.  Christian  self-denial  displays  its  energy. 
Every  real  believer  in  Christ  will  dare  to  shew  invio- 
lable regard  to  the  truth  and  law  of  God,  though 
certain  the  rich  or  great  will  take  offence  at  him  on 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  32? 

that  account.  Fear  of  falling,  or  of  want,  will  not 
betray  him  to  dissemble,  or  deny  his  duty.  Whilst 
on  the  one  hand  discretion  and  humility  preserve 
him  from  irritating  the  profane  by  improper  rebuke 
or  forward  behaviour,  fear  and  love  of  God,  on  the 
other,  will  certainly  lead  him  to  bear  some  testimony 
against  such  lawless  conduct,  and  such  contempt 
poured  on  the  revelation  of  peace  and  truth. 

The  weight  which  eternal  things  have  in  the  be- 
liever's mind,  the  smart  he  has  often  felt  in  his  con- 
science for  seeming  to  approve  what  he  knew  God 
has  condemned ;  the  express  command  that  all 
Christians  shall  publicly  profess  their  faith,  and  the 
sufferings  Christ  endured  to  obtain  his  eternal  re- 
demption, join  their  influence,  and  fortify  his  mind 
sooner  to  risk  the  loss  of  all,  than  be  ashamed  of 
God  and  his  word-  And  though  such  an  opposition 
to  impious  custom  (decent,  rational,  and  noble  as  it 
is)  extremely  terrifies  man,  yet  those  who  are  bold 
to  make  it,  submitting  to  God  in  diligence  and  in- 
tegrity to  provide  for  them,  generally  prosper:  for 
they  are  heirs  of  the  unconquerable  promise  :  '\Come 
out  from  among  them,  and  be  ye  separate,  and  I 
will  receive  you,  and  I  will  be  a  Father  unto  you, 
and  ye  shall  be  my  sons  and  daughters,  saith  the 
Lord  Almighty,"  2  Cor.  vi. 

And  if  any  man,  professing  himself  a  Christian, 
dare  not  thus  rely  upon  God  for  temporal  provision, 
though  it  seems  to  be  endangered  by  adherence  to 
his  duty,  let  not  that  man  deceive  himself — his  pro- 
fession is  like  that  of  the  traitors,  he  is  an  arrant  in- 
fidel in  his  heart,  and  his  actions  prove  it.  Nay, 
worse  than  infidelity  is  chargeable  upon  him:  an 
horrid  idea  of  God,  which,  were  it  entertained  by  his 
children  and  friends  of  himself,  would  be  a  dagger  to 
his  heart : — an  idea  that  God  can  see,  and  not  deliver 
his  own  child  in  distresses  brought  on  him  from  cor- 


328-  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

dial  love  to  his  heavenly  Father's  name,  though  all 
power  lie  in  his  hands  to  reward  and  bless.  Such  a 
one,  O  fearful  professor,  dost  thou  conceive  the  God 
of  heaven  and  earth  to  be. 


SUNDAY  XLV. 
CHAP.  XLV. 


On  self-denied  Submission  of  our  Understanding  t« 
God's  Word. 


1  HIS  is  a  restraint  no  less  diflicult  for  men  of  su- 
pe  rior  understanding  to  brook,  than  for  the  sensual 
to  live  in  chastity,  the  covetous  to  be  liberal,  or  the 
fearful  to  be  bold  for  God  and  duty.  Yet,  in  requir- 
ing such  submission  to  his  naked  word,  he  requires 
nothing  unreasonable,  because  the  objects  of  faith 
exceed  human  comprehension,  and  at  present  are 
revealed  only  in  part.  **  We  preach,"  saith  the 
apostle,  '^  the  wisdom  of  God  in  a  mystery." 
Therefore,  scripture  must  not  be  rejected  under  pre- 
tence that  it  contradicts  common  sense.  Instead  of 
indulging,  we  must  repel  that  insolent  query.  How 
can  these  things  be  ?  For,  as  ignorant  creatures,  it 
is  our  duty,  as  Christians  our  profession,  to  believe 
what  God  has  declared.  And  when  his  declaration 
is  made,  we  must  shut  our  eyes  against  numberless 
difficulties  relating  to  the  manner  how  things  exist, 
to  which  human  wit  and  human  ignorance  may  give 
birth.  This  is  our  duty,  though  mortifying  infinite- 
ly to  men  of  science,  who  are  arrogant  from  conceit 
af  their  abilities  and  penetration.     For,  how  can  any 


Complete  duty  of  man.  329 

ene  have  reason  to  deny  or  doubt  that  to  be  true 
(which  involves  no  palpable  contradiction),  when 
our  Maker  hath  affirmed  it  ?  Or,  how  can  one  be 
sure  there  is  2Lreal  contradictmi  in  things,  which  it  is 
certain,  and  even  confessed,  he  cannot  thoroughly 
comprehended  ?  Though  reason,  therefore,  be  of 
signal  service  in  teaching  us,  to  a  certain  degree,  the 
knowledge  of  causes  and  effects,  and,  within  its 
proper  limits,  is  never  to  be  disparaged,  yet,  under 
the  influence  of  self-  conceit  and  arrogance,  it  proves 
no  less  an  enemy  to  God  and  man  than  the  vilest  of 
our  passions.  For  it  will  teach  us  to  disdain  the  no- 
tion of  implicit  faith  even  in  our  Maker,  and  to  urge 
the  supposed  absurdity  of  scripture-doctrines,  and 
their  repugnancy  to  preconceived  opinions,  as  suf- 
ficient to  reject  them,  till  the  whole  of  revelation  be 
denied.  First  the  incarnation  of  God;  then,  his 
atonement ;  after  these,  the  fall,  man's  natural  cor- 
ruption, and  the  agency  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  till  at 
last  scarce  any  doctrine  in  the  Bible  is  allowed  to  be 
true,  but  what  a  Deist  would  receive^". 

Should  it  be  said,  implicit  faith  lays  us  open  to  all 
absurdities,  under  pretence  of  reverence  for  the  au- 
thority of  God  ;  the  answer  is  obvious  ;  a  distinction 

*  The  sufficiency  of  reason  is  an  idea  most  flattering,  which 
we  therefore  receive  before  we  are  aware  of  the  consequence. 
Yet  is  it  necessary  that  we  should  be  gradually  led  on  to  this  be- 
lief, before  we  can  consider  the  authority  of  reason  as  decisive. 
Were  we  2A.Jirst  taught  it  is  superior  to  the  revelation  of  God 
in  his  word,  we  should  be  shocked  ;  but  when  artfully  conduct- 
ed step  by  step  to  the  belief  of  our  own  consequence,  and  cau- 
tioned against  giving  credit  to  any  thing  our  reason  does  not 
comprehend,  which  is  said  to  be  the  infallible  test  of  truth,  that 
very  reason  which,  under  due  restriction,  would  have  helped 
to  preserve  man  from  error,  when  exalted  and  trusted  in  as 
sufficient  of  itself,  will  infallibly  sink  him  into  the  lowest  dregs 
of  it.  For  no  sooner  does  reason  hesitate  to  determine  for  him, 
than  he  becomes  a  sceptic  ;  confounded  in  his  further  inquiries, 
he  degenerates  into  an  infidel  avowed,  or  covert. 

S   S 


330  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

must  be  made  between  the  time,  before  we  are  per- 
suaded the  Bible  is  of  God,  and  after  we  know  it  to  be 
so.     Before,  we  have  lull  liberty  to  put  to  the  sever- 
est   trial  all  the  evidences  which  demonstrate  the 
scripture  is  a  revelation  from  God.     Every  one  ca- 
pable of  this  inquiry  should  do  so,  because  these 
proofs  are  palpable,  and  make  their  appeal  to  our  rea- 
S071,  which  is  fully  qualified  to  judge  of  the  truth  of 
facts.     During  the  whole  time  these  proofs  are  un- 
der examination,  reason  is  to  sit  sole  arbitress  ;  but 
when  once  the  scripture  is  received,  as  it  always 
must  be  when  men  are  honest  in  their  search,  it  im- 
mediately  claims  absolute  submission  to  its  doc- 
trines.    After  this,   should  we  pretend  that  reason 
authorizes  us  to  question  any  truth  the  book  con- 
tains, we  are  self-condemned,  because  it  is  the  height 
both  of  folly  and  arrogance  to  urge  against  an  infal- 
lible teacher  the  repugnancy   of  what  he  affirms  to 
our  own  ideas.     On  the  contrary,  when  once  the 
book  is  acknowledged  to  be  of  God,  it  instantly  be- 
comes an  act  of  the  highest  treason  to  rely  entirely 
upon  scripture  testimony. 

That  it  is  the  duty  of  a  Christian  in  this  manner 
to  deny  the  arrogance  natural  to  men  of  superior  un- 
derstanding, the  following  declaration  proves:  "I  will 
destroy  the  wisdom,  of  the  wise,  and  will  bring  to 
nothing  the  understanding  of  the  prudent.  Where  is 
the  wise  ?  Where  is  the  Scribe  ?  Where  is  the  dis- 
puter  of  this  world  ?  Hath  not  God  made  foolish  the 
wisdom  of  this  world  ?"  1  Cor.  i.  The  absolute 
contrariety  which  scripture  truth  bears  to  what  the 
wisest  rncn  naturally  conceive  it  is  fit  God  should 
reveal,  is  affirmed,  when  it  is  said,  ''  the  wisdom  of 
God  is  foolishness  to  men.''  This  doctrine,  so 
mortifvmg  to  those  who  lean  to  their  own  under- 
standing, Christ  remarkably  confirms  ;  for  he  rejoic- 
ed in  spirit,  that  those  who,  like  little  children,  sub- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  331 

mitted  to  believe  whatever  the  word  of  God  teaches, 
enjoyed  the  inestimable  blessing  of  divine  know- 
ledge,  able  to  save  their  souls  ;  whilst  men  who 
idolized  their  own  intellectual  abilities  were  incapa- 
ble of  understanding  the  truth.  ''  1  thank  thee,  O 
Father,  Lord  of  Heaven  and  earth,  because  thou 
hast  hid  these  things  from  the  wise  and  prudent,  and 
hast  revealed  them  unto  babes  :  even  so.  Father, 
for  so  it  seemed  good  in  thy  sight,''  Matth.  xi. 

St.  Paul  urges  the  same  self-denial,  when  he  af- 
firms, ^' If  any  man  think  himself  wise,  let  him  be- 
come a  fool  [in  his  own  judgment,  as  much  in  need 
of  being  taught  every  thing],  that  he  may  be  wise." 
And  he  particularly  teaches  us,  that  this  self- denial 
is  effected  by  apostolic  preaching,  wherever  it  suc- 
ceeds to  the  salvation  of  the  hearer.  *'  It  casts  down 
imaginations  [corrupt  reasonings,  corrupt  because 
impious,  where  the  word  of  God  hath  decided]  and 
every  high  thing  that  exalteth  itself  against  the  know- 
ledge of  God,  and  brings  into  captivity  every  thought 
to  the  obedience  of  Christ." 

Such  assertions  can  have  neither  use  nor  meaning, 
hut  to  suppress  that  sceptical  daring  spirit,  which 
too  many  dignify  as  the  just  exercise  of  reason,  and 
a  noble  freedom  of  iniquiry,  in  opposition  to  the  au- 
thority of  established  creeds. 

N  jr  would  there  have  been  such  assertions  in 
scripture,  were  there  not  in  us,  when  we  possess  su- 
perior understanding,  cultivated  by  much  reading,  a 
propensity  to  make  articles  of  religion  for  ourselves, 
though  in  fact  it  is  impossible  to  know  the  things  of 
God,  any  farther  than  we  are  taught  them  from  his 
own  mouth.  BeHevers  in  Christ  must  constantly 
guard  against  this  abuse  of  reason  and  learning,  and 
not  dare,  through  difiiculties  which  may  be  started, 
to  cavil  with  the  scripture. 

It    is    absolutely   necessary   our    understanding 


332  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

should  thus  submit  to  the  authority  of  God's  word, 
because  a  man  can  never  be  a  Christian  without  it. 
Since  every  doctrine  peculiar  to  the  church  of 
Christ,  if  we  will  not  give  full  credit  to  the  revealer, 
hath  in  it  insuperable  difficulties,  pride,  aided  by  a 
small  degree  of  penetration,  will  find  endless  matter 
to  arraign  the  scripture  in  its  account  of  the  origin 
of  our  misery  ;  its  character  of  the  Redeemer,  and 
his  incarnation ;  of  the  Spirit's  agency  ;  of  the  pen- 
alty incurred  by  every  transgression,  and  the  pun- 
ishment of  all  who  are  damned.  These  several  cap- 
ital articles  of  our  creed,  must  be  received  upon  the 
mere  authority  of  their  voucher,  the  written  word, 
or  not  at  all.  And  those  who  disdain  to  acquiesce 
in  such  testimony  do  and  must  deny  the  faith  of 
Christ  in  their  hearts,  though,  for  obvious  reasons, 
they  choose  to  call  themselves  Christians,  and  to  re- 
main in  the  bosom  of  Christ's  church,  though  infi- 
dels to  all  intents  and  purposes. 

Self  must  be  denied  in  rejecting  all  hope  towards 
God,  built  upon  our  own  righteousness.  This  is  a 
severe  instance  of  mortification  to  us  all,  much  be- 
yond any  that  has  been  insisted  on.  Yet,  whatever 
our  good  qualities  may  be,  however  great  and  shin- 
ing our  attainments  in  grace,  we  must  confess  before 
God,  our  eternal  condemnation  would  be  inevitable, 
should  our  Maker  enter  into  judgment  with  us,  in- 
stead of  showing  us  compassion,  and  loving  us  free- 
ly. For  how  is  it  possible  we  can  honour  the  sacri- 
fice of  Christ  as  God  would  have  it  honoured,  if  we 
fancy  our  own  goodness  can  ever  absolve  us  from 
guilt  ?  How  can  we  flee  for  refuge  to  the  Saviour, 
and  abide  in  him  as  our  strong  tower,  unless  we  «/- 
xvays  see  ourselves  exposed  to  the  avenger  of  blood, 
if  not  protected  and  justified  freely  through  the  re- 
demption that  is  in  him?  How  can  we,  in  fervent 
^elf-abasing  gratitude,  bow  down  to  God  for  imput= 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  333 

ing  to  us  his  righteousness,  if  we  renounce  not  our 
own  as  utterly  insufficient  to  answer  for  us  at  his  bar  ? 
Or  how  can  we  place  our  whole  dependence  on  the 
Beloved  of  the  Father  for  acceptance  in  him,  unless 
conscious,  to  our  last  moment  on  earth,  that  we  ne- 
ver can  be  justified  or  deemed  righteous  for  our  own 
obedience? 

From  these  reasons,  (not  to  be  set  aside,  through 
the  many  evasions  pride,  aided  by  much  subtlety, 
hath  contrived),  a  Christian  denies  his  self  in  a  de- 
gree no  earth-born  system  of  religion  requires.  And 
though  this  very  humbling  estimation  of  our  moral 
excellence  be  the  most  difficult  of  all  things  to  attain, 
yet  scripture  strongly  urges  it  upon  us,  borh  by  ex- 
ample and  doctrine.  Job  cries  out,  ''Behold!  I 
am  vile,  I  abhor  myself."  Upon  inquiry,  we  find 
this  accuser  of  himself  had  not,  even  in  the  judg- 
ment of  God,  his  equal  in  moral  goodness  upon  the 
whole  earth.  Yet  the  fault  he  bewailed,  and  which 
extorted  his  confession,  was  too  high  an  opinion 
of  his  own  worth  :  he  had  said,  *'  1  am  clean  without 
transgression  ;  1  am  innocent,  neither  is  there  iniqui- 
ty in  me  ;"  Job  xxxiii.  9.  And  for  thua  overrating 
his  spiritual  attainments,  he  loathes  himself  in  his 
own  eyes.  Who  now  (receiving  the  scripture  testi- 
mony borne  to  Job's  character)  can  think  himself  less 
sullied  with  evil,  or  less  defective  in  duty,  than  this 
illustrious  child  of  God  ? 

What  Job  was  in  old  time,  St.  Paul  evidently 
appears  to  have  been  in  the  Christian  church.  Who, 
in  labours  or  sufferings  for  the  glory  of  God,  who, 
in  love  to  God  or  man,  in  purity  of  heart  and  conver- 
sation, or  extensive  usefulness,  can  be  compared 
with  him?  Yet  so  far  is  this  most  distinguished 
saint  and  aposde  of  Christ,  from  confiding  in  his 
moral  excellence,  or  fimcying  it  the  ground  in  any 
degree  of  his  justification  before  God,  that  he  enii- 


534  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

merates  what  he  had  done  and  suffered  for  Christ's 
sake,  only  that  he  might  shew  how  utterly  he  dis- 
claimed It  ail  as  the  foundation  of  his  hope  towards 
God.  He  poured  contempt  upon  it,  calUng  't  loss 
and  dung,  in  comparison  of  being  found  in  Christ, 
^^  not  having  his  own  righteousness,  which  is  of  the 
law  p.  e  not  trusting  in  his  own  obedience  for  jus- 
tification], but  that  which  is  through  the  faith  of 
Christ,  the  righteousness  which  is  of  God  by  faith  ;'* 
Phil.  iii. 

What  these  and  other  most  excellent  persons, 
recorded  in  Holy  Writ,  declare  in  disparagement  of 
their  own  righteousness,  is  confirmed  as  a  doctrine 
of  great  importance  by  several  passages.  The  poor 
and  needy  are  represented  as  the  oni\  objects  of  the 
Kedeemer's  grace,  Ps.  Ixxii.  Whilst  the  good  and 
virtuous  in  their  own  eyes  *'  are  scattered  in  the 
proud  imagination  of  their  hearts,  and  sent  empty 
away,"  Luke  i.  A  lowly  miitd  is  described  as  the 
only  temper  becoming  our  Christian  profession, 
whilst  the  haughty  spirit  which  prompts  men  to  trust 
in  their  own  righteousness,  is  expressed  as  the  ojily 
cause  of  excluding  from  salvation,  even  those  who 
had  a  zeal  for  God  ;  Romans  ix.  By  doctrine  there- 
fore, by  examples,  and  by  his  own  experience  of 
numberless  defects,  every  believer  in  Jesus  is  ltd  to 
call  himself  vile  in  the  midst  of  his  highest  attain- 
ments, and  constantly  to  esteem  himself  a  ntedy  im- 
potent vessel  of  mercy,  who  has  nothing  to  delight  in 
but  the  name  of  the  Lord,  nor  ground  of  confidence 
towards  God  but  his  righteousness. 

Compare  this  extensive  self-denial,  practised  by 
the  true  members  of  Christ's  church,  with  what 
either  enthusiasm  or  superstition  have,  under  that 
name,  enjoined.  The  contrast  is  striking  indeed. 
How  frivolous  and  despicable  to  make  self-denial 
(as  weak  enthusiasts  do)  consist  in  the  shape  or  col- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  SJs^ 

#ur  of  our  clothes,  in  demure  looks  and  precise  be. 
haviour,  or  abstaining  only  from  fashionable  diver- 
sions  !  These  things  h\  jiocrites  may  do,  and  shine 
as  patterns  of  such  mortification,  whilst  self,  in  its 
worst  tempers,  is  fully  indulged.  The  self-denial 
which  stern  superstition  enjoins  is  worse.  It  impri- 
sons for  life  men  and  women,  endued  with  active 
powers,  and  formed  for  society  :  it  makes  them 
move  like  clock-work  in  a  round  of  religious  rites ; 
it  clothes  them  with  sackc'oth,  and  orders  them  to 
practise  many  useless  seventies  upon  the  body  ;  it 
calls  them  to  desert  the  very  station  in  which  Pro- 
vidence had  fixed  their  lot,  and  buries  even  the  ex- 
cellencies they  have  in  a  cloister  and  a  cell. 

Examined  by  the  rule  of  scripture,  how  mistaken^ 
how  pitiable,  how  unprofitable  is  the  zeal  of  such 
devotees  !  On  the  contrary,  what  a  just  understand- 
ing, what  fortitude  of  mind,  what  personal  and  pub- 
lic benefits  are  conspicuous  in  Christian  self  de- 
nial ! 

^  It  teaches  us  to  use  the  plenty  of  meats  and  drinks 
given  us  by  divine  bounty,  without  any  abuse  of 
them  ;  thus  confronting  by  our  example,  and  severe- 
ly condemning  all  excess.  It  teaches  us  to  enjoy 
the  rich  comforts  of  the  marriage -state,  and  the  va- 
rious pleasures  which  spring  from  the  chaste  union  of 
the  sexes,  and  a  well- governed  family,  infinitely 
outweighing  all  that  lust  enthroned  in  a  filthy  heart 
can  boast.  It  enables  us  to  carry  on  trade  without 
covetousness,  though  every  incitement  to  that  sor- 
did passion  surrounds  us.  In  the  reciprocal  exer- 
cise of  tender  aftection  between  dearest  relations  and 
friends,  it  secures  the  supreme  love  of  the  heart  for 
God.  ^  It  teaches  us  to  avoM'  his  cause,  and  adhere 
to  It,  in  contempt  of  our  worldly  interest,  our  hon- 
our, and  our  character.  It  teaches  us  to  sacrifice 
our  prying  curiosity,  and  desire  of  comprehending 


336  COMPLETE  DUTV  OF  MAN. 

fully  the  truths  of  God  before  we  believe  them,  te 
the  veneration  wc  owe  his  oracles.  And  after  an  in- 
trepid venture  of  all  for  his  sake,  it  teaches  us,  in- 
stead of  eyeing  with  self-complacency  our  moral  ex- 
cellence, to  cry,  "  Enter  not  into  judgment  with  thy 
servant,  O  Lord." 

This  extensive,  most  noble  self-denial,  is  suffi- 
cient.—x\  way  then  with  the  unnatural  life  of  the  con- 
vent; away  with  all  the  inventions  of  will-\^orship, 
silence,  and  total  solitude,  hair  shirts,  iron  girdles, 
and  the  coarsest  food.  Away  with  all  the  whimsical 
uncommanded  singularities  in  dress,  and  the  fashion 
of  the  exterior  man,  which  enthusiasts  so  violently 
press.  It  is  far  severer  self  denial  to  mortify  every 
evil  and  corrupt  desire  natural  to  the  heart.  It  is 
more  courageous  to  fight  till  we  die,  than  fly  from 
the  battle.  It  is  more  profitable  to  mankind  to  shine 
a  light  before  their  eyes,  than  to  be  immured  with  a 
select  company,  as  if  piety  could  not  live  in  the  com- 
merce of  the  world.  And  it  is  infinitely  more  for  the 
glory  of  Christ,  that  the  new  heart  and  new  spirit 
which  he  hath  given  should  be  known  and  seen  of 
all  men,  than  be  buried  in  perpetual  concealment. 
Most  useful,  honourable,  and  excellent,  are  they  who 
deny  all  the  cravings  of  corrupt  self  in  the  midst  of 
forbidden  objects.  They,  and  they  alone,  prove 
the  efficacy  of  the  Saviour's  prayer  in  their  behalf: 
"  Father,  take  them  not  out  of  the  world,  but  keep 
them  from  the  evil." 


PRAYER, 

Suited  to  the  preceeding  Subject. 

O  LORD,  the  author  and  continual  preser- 
ver  of  our    being,    th*ou    hast   an   absolute  right 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  Z37 

over  us.  We  are  thy  property  ;  to  thee,  and  for  thee 
only,  ought  we  to  live.  But  we  confess  our  shame, 
our  misery,  and  sin.  We  have  impiously  exalted 
ourselves,  and  treated  thy  eternal  majesty  as  un- 
worthy our  regard.  Professing  ourselves  Christians, 
we  have  refused  to  deny  ourselves,  to  take  up  our 
cross  and  follow  thee.  We  have  cherished  the  de- 
sires of  our  corrupt  nature.  We  have  encouraged 
those  vile  affections,  which  we  ought  to  have  be- 
wailed, opposed,  and  strangled  in  their  birth.  We 
have  obstinately  thought  the  happiness  of  man's  life 
was  in  fulfilling  the  lusts  of  the  flesh  and  of  the  mind; 
and  our  whole  aim  has  been  to  please  ourselves. 
Hold  up,  O  Lord,  before  our  eyes  this  melancholy 
truth,  that  holy  shame  may  cover  us ;  that  we  may 
return  to  thee  our  God  with  weeping  and  supplica- 
tion. O  blot  out  all  our  sins  for  his  righteousness 
sake,  who  pleased  not  himself,  but  came,  in  the 
body  thou  hadst  prepared  for  him,  to  do  thy  will. 
Bv  him  may  we  be  sanctified,  and  delivered  from 
the  wrath  due  to  us  for  all  our  self-indulgence. 

We  have  now  heard  our  duty  explained  and  urged, 
that  we  must  mortify  all  our  evil  and  corrupt  appe- 
tites.  O  give  us  to  beware  of  surfeiting  and  drunk- 
enness. May  we  eat  for  strength,  not' for  gratifica- 
tion,  and  drink  for  thirst,  not  to  inflame  ourselves 
with  wine,  wherein  is  excess.  By  thy  grace,  may 
we  always  keep  under  our  bodies,  and  resist  every 
lewd  desire  or  thought.  Suffer  us  not  to  look  upon 
a  woman  to  lust  after  her ;  inspire  us  with  hatred  of 
all  foolish  talking  and  filthy  jesting,  all  sights,  books, 
and  amusements,  which  defile  and  war  against  the 
soul.  Convince  us  that  thou  wilt  judge  all  whore- 
mongers and  adulterers,  and  that  no  lewd  person 
shall  enter  into  thy  kingdom. 

Enable  us  to  overcome  the  love  of  the  world,  and 
all  desire  of  wealth  and  greatness.     May  we  be  con- 

X   T 


338  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

tent  with  such  things  as  we  have,  and  let  our  whole 
conversation  be  without  covetousness.  Give  us 
grace  to  conquer  the  love  of  money,  which  is  the 
root  of  all  evil.  Keep  us  ever  satisfied  with  thyself, 
O  God,  as  our  portion,  and  never  suffer  us  to  in- 
dulge so  much  as  a  single  wish  for  any  thing  in  this 
world,  more  than  food  and  raiment.  Deliver  us 
from  the  pride  of  our  hearts,  which  thirsts  for  praise 
and  honour  from  men.  Let  all  our  ambition  be  to 
please  thee.  Let  us  not  fear  the  faces  of  men,  nor 
be  afraid  of  their  revilings.  Make  us  bold  to  main- 
tain  thy  honour,  and  ready  on  every  fit  occasion 
with  meekness  to  witness  a  good  confession  of  thy 
truth,  and  our  duty. 

Set  our  hearts  at  liberty  from  all  inordinate  affec- 
tion for  those  we  love,  and  to  whom  we  are  dear; 
and  may  we  never  provoke  thee  to  jealousy  by  hon- 
ouring them  above  thy  divine  majesty.  Save  us 
from  all  conceitof  our  own  understanding,  and  from 
cavilling  at  the  doctrines  thy  infallible  word  teaches. 
And  whatever  we  have  done  for  thee,  or  received  at 
thy  hands,  let  each  of  us  make  this  request  living  and 
dying,  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner,  for  his  sake 
who  was  delivered  for  our  offences,  and  raised  again 
for  our  justification.     Amen^ 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  339 

SUNDAY  XLVI. 

CHAP.  XLVI. 
On  devotional  Duties, 


When  the  practice  and  tempers  essential  to  Chris- 
tians are  explained,  too  many  cry  out,  Who  then 
can  be  saved  ?  There  is  really  no  place  in  the  Chris- 
tian scheme  for  such  despondency.  Though  our 
natural  weakness  and  corruption  be  much  greater 
than  such  objectors  beUeve,  still  Christian  obedience 
springs  from  a  root  sufficient  to  produce  it  all.  For 
God,  the  mighty  God,  hath  promised  light,  power, 
and  consolation  to  those  who  seek  them  in  Christ 
Jesus,  sufficient  to  maintain  every  holy  temper  in  the 
measure  required. 

The  means  which  must  be  used  with  diligence 
and  perseverance,  to  obtain  these  supernatural  sup- 
plies, are  called,  by  way  of  distinction,  Devotional 
Duties,  and,  in  every  one's  judgment,  are  essential 
to  religion.  Yet,  through  sad  self-abuse,  devotion- 
al duties  in  general  are  mere  religious  formalities, 
which  dishonour  God,  lull  nominal  Christians  into 
a  false  peace,  and  harden  the  profane  in  their  con- 
tempt of  religion  itself.  To  guard  against  an  error  so 
pernicious,  I  shall  treat  at  large  on  the  nature  of  de- 
votional duties,  and  the  right  method  of  performing 
them  ;  confining  myself  principally  to  secret  prayer, 
and  reading  the  word  of  God ;  as  what  will  be  of- 
fered on  these  two  capital  parts  of  devotion  bears  an 
easy  application  to  all  public  ordinances,  and  other 
means  of  grace. 


54^  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

With  respect  to  prayer,  the  object  of  it  is  God 
alone,  because  the  end  of  prayer,  is  to  obtain  deli- 
verance or  preservation  from  evil,  or  the  possession 
of  good ;  therefore  our  application  must  be  made 
to  him  from  whom  every  good  and  perfect  gift 
cometh;  who  orders  all  things  according  to  the 
counsel  of  his  own  will,  able  completely  to  bless  us 
in  spite  of  all  opposition ;  and  without  whose  favour 
the  whole  creation  cannot  afford  either  protection 
or  comfort.  Joined  with  uncontrolable  power,  the 
attributes  of  omnipresence  and  omniscience  are  es- 
sential to  the  true  object  of  prayer,  in  order  that  not 
one  supplicant  should  be  overlooked  ;  not  one  of 
the  numberless  millions  of  petitions  offered  up  in  the 
same  instant  throughout  the  world  be  lost ;  and  that, 
amidst  the  infinite  variety  of  complicated  cases,  the 
things  best  for  each  individual,  and  those  only, 
should  be  conferred.  United  with  these  perfections, 
there  must  be  mercy  and  love  to  forgive  our  sins, 
to  overcome  our  fears,  and  encourage  our  petitions, 
conscious  as  we  must  be  of  our  own  viieness  when 
we  are  fit  to  pray. 

Thus,  from  the  nature  of  prayer,  it  is  evident 
we  must  address  ourselves  to  God  alone.  We  are 
taught  the  same  in  his  oracles.  "Praise  waiteth 
for  thee,  O  God,  in  Sion,  and  unto  thee  shall  the  vow 
be  performed.  O  thou  that  hearest  prayer,  unto 
thee  shall  all  flesh  come."  Psal.  Ixv.  ''1  am  the 
Lord  thy  God,  thou  shalt  have  none  other  gods  be- 
fore me.  Thou  shalt  not  make  to  thyself  any  gra- 
ven image,  nor  the  likeness  of  any  thing  that  is  iu 
heaven  above,  nor  in  the  earth  beneath,  nor  in  the 
water  under  the  earth.  Thou  shalt  not  bow  down 
to  them,  nor  worship  them  ;  for  I,  the  Lord  thy 
God,  am  a  jealous  God,"  Exod.  xx. 

A  truth  so  plain,  so  important,  so  often  repeated 
in  scripture,  that  the  monstrous  corruptions  of  wor- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  341 

ship  introduced  by  popery,  are  matter  of  astonish- 
niejit,  no  less  than  lamentation.  Instead  of  making 
God  the  only  object  of  their  trust,  papists  have  be- 
sides him  almost  innumerable  saints  and  angels,  and 
from  each,  they  tell  us,  they  are  to  receive  some  be- 
nefit in  answer  to  their  prayers.  They  tell  us  there 
are  above  advocates  and  patrons  for  all  exigencies 
and  occasions,  who  defend  men  from  dangers  and 
diseases,  and  bestow  favours  and  virtues.  They  tell 
us,  we  are  to  apply  to  these  patrons,  without  troub- 
ling God  the  Father  and  the  Redeemer,  who  is  God, 
by  presuming,  upon  every  occasion,  to  make  imme- 
diate  addresses  to  them. 

A  horrid  superstition;  at  once  confuted,  when  you 
know  what  perfections  are  essential  to  the  object  of 
our  prayers.  Where  is  almighty  power,  infinite  un- 
derstanding, and  omniprestnce,  but  in  the  eternal 
God  ?  How  absurd  then  and  impious  to  call  on  those 
for  help,  who  by  nature  are  no  gods  ;  so  limited  as  t® 
be  incapable  of  knowing  what  we  want,  or  bestow- 
ing what  we  ask  ? 

Our  prayers  should  generally  *  (if  we  exactly 
follow  the  scripture  rule)  be  addressed  to  the  Father, 
in  dependence  upon  the  sacrifice  and  mediation  of 
the  Son,  and  the  influence  of  the  Spirit.  In  this 
manner  of  address,  the  distinct  part  each  person  of 
the  Godhead  bears  in  the  salvation  of  sinners,  the 
infinite  purity  of  God,  and  our  own  defilement  to 

*  I  s^y  generally^  for  there  are  numerous  instances  of  prayer 
addressed  to  Jesus  Christ.  The  disciples  prayed  to  him,  z«- 
crease  our  faith — the  dying  malefactor,  to  save  his  soul.  Ste- 
phen, with  his  dying  breath,  commended  himself  into  lus 
hands.  Paul  besought  him  thrice  to  take  away  the  thorn  in  his 
flesh,  and  styles  him  Lord  over  all,  rich  in  mercy  to  all  that  call 
upon  him  ;  for,  whosoever  calleth  on  the  name  of  the  Lord 
shall  be  saved.  These  are  precedents  (never  to  be  set  aside) 
proving  that  each  member  of  tlie  Christiiui  church  may  and  wrtl 
say,  as  Thomas  did  to  Jesus,  My  Lord  and  ray  Ged. 


342  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

the  last,  are  forcibly  taught ;  points  of  such  momenta 
that  all  scripture  labours  to  impress  them  on  our 
minds. 

Now,  as  God  is  the  only  object  to  whom  we  must 
pray,  so  prayer  is  the  spreading  before  him  the 
wants  and  desires  we  feel.  Without  this,  the  best 
chosen  petitions  repeated  punctually  every  morning 
and  evening  out  of  a  book,  or  the  greatest  fluency 
of  expression,  are  only  the  mimicry  of  prayer.  A 
sort  of  devotion,  which  the  proud  and  self- sufficient, 
and  most  grossly  ignorant,  can  practise  ;  on  which 
the  formal  and  superstitious  can  fancy  themselves 
religious  in  an  extraordinary  degree,  though  they 
never  prayed  once  since  they  were  born.  For  as 
the  needy  only  can  stoop  to  ask  alms,  so  we  begin 
to  pray,  and  not  before,  when  we  feel  ourselves  ready 
to  perish,  if  we  receive  not  the  things  we  ask  for. 

This  sensibility  of  real  want,  scripture  representa- 
tions and  examples  prove  essential  to  prayer.  "  If 
thou  shalt  seek  the  Lord,  thou  shalt  find  him  ;  if 
thou  seekest  him  with  all  thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy 
soul,"  Deut.  iv.  *' Trust  in  God  at  all  times  ;  pour 
out  your  hearts  before  him,"  Ps.  Ixii.  "  The  Lord 
is  nigh  unto  all  them  that  call  upon  him,  to  all  that 
call  upon  him  in  truth,"  Ps.  cxlv.  18.  When  the 
inspired  Solomon  commands  us  to  pray  for  wisdom^ 
he  emphatically  expresses  the  need  we  must  feel  of 
that  gift.  **  If  thou  criest  after  knowledge,  and  lift- 
est  up  thy  voice  for  understanding ;  if  thou  seekest 
her  as  silver,  and  searchest  for  her  as  for  hid  treas- 
ure." Our  Lord  points  out  the  same  feeling  as 
essential  to  prayer  ;  he  describes  it  by  askings  seek- 
i?ig,  knoeking :  terms  which  express  a  pungent  need 
of  help,  and  an  immediate  answer.  St.  James,  hold- 
ing  out  the  very  same  idea,  calls  successful  petition 
inwrought  prayer.  V/hat  scripture  thus  defines  to 
be  prayer,  the  practice  of  God's  saints  illustrates* 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  343 

When  they  came  before  the  throne  of  grace,  they 
were  penetrated  with  the  feehng  of  their  necessities. 
*'  With  my  whole  heart  have  I  sought  thy  favour. 
At  evening,  and  at  morning,  and  at  noon- day,  will 
I  cry,  and  that  instantly  ;  and  thou  shalt  hear  me." 
See  another  example  of  the  distress  and  importunity 
of  a  true  supplicant :  *'  Out  of  the  depths  have  I 
cried  unto  thee,  O  Lord  :  Lord  hear  my  voice.  O 
let  thine  ears  be  attentive  to  the  voice  of  my  suppli- 
cation." In  the  address  of  Daniel,  greatly  beloved, 
every  syllable  breathes  sense  of  want,  which  scarce 
knows  how  to  bear  the  least  denial  or  delay.  "  O 
Lord  hear,  O  Lord  forgive  :  O  Lord  hearken,  and 
do  ;  defer  not  for  thine  own  sake,  O  my  God." 

From  this  scripture  representation  of  pra}  er,  that 
it  means  spreading  the  wants  we  feel  before  God,  it 
is  plain,  all  men  stand  perfectly  on  a  level  in  their 
natural  state,  as  to  any  ability  to  pray.  Outward 
circumstances  here  make  no  difi'erence.  A  polished 
scholar  and  an  ignorant  clown  ;  those  who  have 
been  most  piously  trained,  and  those  who  have  been 
brought  up  profanely ;  those  who  have  been  kept 
back  from  sinful  excesses,  and  those  who  have  plung- 
ed most  deeply  into  them,  if  no  other  dift'erence 
takes  place,  remain  alike  strangers  to  real  prayer. 
For,  notwithstanding  the  grosses  ignorance,  and  bad 
education,  and  profligate  manners,  soon  as  ever  the 
sting  of  sin  is  felt,  and  its  tyranny  oppresses  the 
soul,  prayers  and  cries  will  ascend  up  to  God  from 
a  humble  troubled  heart.  On  the  contrary,  where 
the  guilt,  strength,  and  defilement  of  sin  are  not 
painfully  felt,  neither  learning  nor  pious  education, 
nor  abstinence  from  all  vice,  will  enable  any  one  to 
pray.  In  many  instances,  these  advantages  blind 
and  flatter  by  their  specious  appearance  ;  in  all,  they 
are  entirely  distinct  from  conviction  of  sin,  and 
every  alarming  apprehension  of  its  issue,  unless  par- 


344  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

doned  and  subdued.  For  all  true  knowledge  and 
just  apprehensions  of  sin,  wherever  found,  are 
owing  to  an  infinitely  higher  cause.  They  are  the 
effect  of  a  firm  belief  in  God's  word,  declaring  the 
sinfulness  of  sin,  and  a  heart  so  humbled  as  to  plead 
guilty  to  the  charge  of  it.  But  it  is  not  in  the 
power  of  good  education  much  less  of  learning, 
to  produce  eitlier.  They  are  the  gifts  of  God  :  gifts 
no  sooner  received,  than  all  impediments  to  prayer 
vanish.  Want  immediately  makes  the  stammering 
tongue  of  the  unlearned,  or  of  those  who  have  b<  en 
in  time  past  most  wicked,  speak  plain  enoui^h  in 
the  ears  of  God.  Want  makes  the  heart,  which 
was  before  too  gross  to  conceive  any  excellency  in 
the  things  of  God,  seek  after  them  with  earnest  cries. 
And  whatever  difference  good  understanding,  pious 
education,  or  general  abstinence  from  vice,  may 
make  in  the  ''  matter  of  confession,  the  degrees  of 
guilt,  or  the  choice  of  words,"  still  the  prayer  which 
God  accepts,  and  answers  with  a  blessing  to  the 
soul,  will  be  exactly  the  same  in  the  little  sinner,  as 
in  the  great ;  in  the  poor  as  in  the  rich ;  in  the  low- 
est and  weakest  of  the  people,  as  in  the  most  accom- 
plished preacher  of  God's  truth. 

May  this  scriptural  account  of  prayer  undeceive 
many  who  presume  they  stand  accepted  with  their 
Maker  on  account  of  their  multiplying  exercises  of 
devotion,  when  instead  of  feeling  themselves  sinful, 
impotent  creatures,  as  their  prayers  constantly  repre- 
sent them  to  be,  fancy  they  are  righteous,  and  swell 
with  conceit  of  superior  goodness,  because  they  so 
often  repeat  prayers,  and  so  punctually  frequent  the 
church.  Mav  this  scripture  account  of  prayer  en- 
courage all  who  feel  their  own  vileness,  xvhatever 
they  have  been,  to  make  their  confession,  and  pour 
out  their  complaints  before  God,  though  their  utter- 
ance or  knowledge  be  very  defective,  and  such  as 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  INIAN.  343 

men  would  despise,  and  though  their  past  lives  have 
been  most  profligate.  May  this  scripture  account 
of  prayer  convince  also  poor  people  it  is  mere  hy- 
pocrisy and  love  of  darkness,  because  their  deeds  are 
evil,  when  they  pretend  they  cannot  pray,  because 
they  cannot  read  a  letter — -for  nothing  but  contempt 
of  God's  word,  and  denial  of  our  sinful  condition  as 
represented  in  that  word,  leave  either  learned  or  un- 
learned under  such  hardness  of  heart,  as  to  feel  no 
want  of  grace,  mercy,  and  peace  from  God,  conse- 
quently unable  to  pray. 

Further,  it  is  plain  from  the  nature  of  prayer,  as  it 
means  spreading  our  wants  before  God,  that  a  real 
concern  for  salvation  will  excite  prayer  at  all  times, 
and  in  all  places.  We  shall  pray  when  about  our 
business  and  in  company,  unseen  by  every  human 
eye,  as  really  as  when  alone,  or  in  our  closet.  Fre- 
quent ejaculations  {i.  e,  prayers  darted  up  to  heaven) 
will  be  the  necessary  consequence  of  longing  desires 
in  the  heart  towards  God,  and  the  remembrance  of 
his  name.— In  proportion  as  we  love  an  object,  our 
thoughts  and  wishes  ever  follow  and  fix  upon  it. 

We  proceed  from  the  nature,  to  consider  the  sub- 
ject matter  of  prayer,  or  what  wants  we  are  to  spread 
before  the  Lord.  Certainly  they  must  be  only  such 
as  becomes  him  to  supply,  as  we  are  warranted  by 
his  own  word  to  make  known  to  him,  and  assured 
by  his  promise,  either  absolutely  or  with  limitation, 
that  he  will  relieve. 

We  may  ask  temporal  blessings ;  ease  when  in 
racking  pain;  health  when  pining  sickness  has  taken 
us  off  from  our  employment,  or  wasted  our  strength; 
a  maintenance,  that  we  be  not  left  destitute.  We 
may  ask  the  continuance  of  our  own  lives,  and  the 
lives  of  our  dearest  relations  and  friends,  when  in 
danger.  Prayer  may  be  made  to  God  for  each  of 
these  benefits  ;  because  instances  of  each  are  record- 

u  u 


346  COISIPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

order  to  be  pure  from  the  blood  of  those  committed 
to  their  charge,  need  a  great  measure  of  wisdom, 
love,  and  zeal. 

It  is,  therefore,  by  no  means  sufficient,  that  we  ask 
of  God  those  things  which  he  commands  men  to 
seek,  and  has  promised  to  bestow,  unless  we  also 
specifv  what  we  in  particular  now  want.  We  must 
derive  our  petitions  not  only  from  the  teaching  of 
the  word,  and  a  knowledge  of  things  necessary  for 
us  as  Christians,  but  from  our  own  feelings  and  de- 
sires. And  unless  our  state  of  heart  does  of  itself 
dictate  to  us  the  matter  of  our  prayer,  there  is  no 
reason  to  think  we  are  in  earnest.  For  if  our  sins 
and  corruptions  were  grievous,  surely  we  should  con- 
fess them.  If  they  were  odious  in  our  own  eyes, 
surely  we  should  be  very  particular  and  urgent  in  re- 
questing of  God  to  subdue  them. 

Besides,  it  appears  scarcely  possible  to  guard  ef- 
fectually against  formality  in  prayer,  unless  it  be 
used  as  a  simple,  constant  application  to  God,  for 
the  supply  of  our  daily  and  peculiar  wants.  Nor  is 
it  any  objection  to  say,  very  few,  in  comparison, 
have  ability  to  adapt  good  words  to  their  particular 
cases,  proper  for  others  to  hear :  Granted—Yet  every 
one  is  sufficiently  qualified  to  do  this  alone  before 
God,  who  seeth  the  heart.  Here  false  grammar, 
frequent  hesitations  and  repetitions,  are  in  no  degree 
detrimental  or  inconvenient ;  nor  phrases  at  which 
men  might  take  offence  as  coarse  and  low,  the  least 
improper.  When  the  desire  of  the  heart,  and  inten- 
tion of  the  soul  are  pure,  the  prayer  is  a  spiritual 
sacrifice  acceptable  to  God,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.  And  he  most  meanly  conceives  of  the  di- 
vine majesty  and  perfections,  who  supposes  God  is 
pleased  at  all  with  elegant,  nervous  words,  or  fluent 
expression,  or  with  any  thing  but  the  prayer  of  the 
upright ;  which  a  day-labourer  is  as  able  and  likely 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  347 

at  least  to  offer  unto  him,  as  any  admired  speaker  or 
eminent  scholar. 


SUNDAY  XLVII. 
CHAP.  XLVII. 

On  the  Necessity  of  Prayer. 

W  HAT  was  offered  in  the  preceding  chapter  will 
make  plain,  to  the  meanest  capacity,  the  nature  and 
the  matter  of  real  prayer.  But  ignorance,  alas  !  is 
the  weakest  obstacle  to  this  duty  wc  have  to  remove ; 
aversion  to  such  spiritual,  soul-humbling  confession, 
and  natural  profaneness,  are  much  more  difficult  to 
overcome.  For  this  end  let  us  consider  in  what 
manner  scripture  urges  the  necessity  of  prayer. 

It  is  enforced  in  that  divine  book,  by  the  practice 
of  the  most  venerable  persons,  as  the  only  means  of 
obtaining  grace  to  pay  uniform  obedience  to  God, 
as  required  by  his  command. 

It  is  enforced  by  the  most  venerable  names,  Abra- 
ham, Isaac,  Jacob,  Moses,  Samuel,  David,  Daniel, 
Peter,  and  Paul ;  the  first  names  for  excellency  be- 
fore God  were  constant  in  prayer.  This  enlivened 
their  graces,  and  gave  them  such  transcendent  lustre. 
But  their  diligence  in  the  duty  of  prayer  is  not  re- 
corded to  give  them  the  trifling  honour  of  a  posthu- 
mous fame  ;  it  is  designed  to  prove  that  we  must  do 
as  they  did  ;  that  if  we  hope  to  be  with  them  in  the 
kingdom  of  glory,  we  must  follow  them,  who, 
through  faith  and  patience,  inherit  the  promises.     If 


348  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

then  we  re  a- ere  the  word  of  God,  we  cannot  neglect 
a  duty  which  was  of  such  importance  in  the  judg- 
ment of  all  his  saints. 

But  if  their  practice  proves  the  necessity  of  prayer, 
how  much  more  the  example  ot  Christ?  Before  his 
brightness,  prophets,  apostles,  and  martyrs  fade  away, 
as  stars  in  the  firmament  when  the  sun  arises.  He 
was  holy,  harmless,  undefiled,  separate  from  sinners  ; 
nevertheless,  prayer  employed  a  considerable  portion 
of  his  time.  Fatigued  as  he  was  by  excessive  labours 
of  love,  in  travelling  from  place  to  place,  preaching  in 
every  town  and  village  to  immense  multitudes,  u  ho 
thronged  and  pressed  upon  him,  he  needed  all  the  rest 
the  nieht  could  afford  ;  vet  would  he  sometimes  rise 
a  great  ivhile  before  it  was  day  ,  that,  retiring  upon 
the  mountain's  top,  he  might  pray  without  inter-^ 
ruption.  Sometimes  the  moon  and  stars  saw  him, 
their  Maker,  an  earnest  and  devout  intercessor, 
whilst  others  were  sleeping  in  their  beds. 

After  this  record,  can  any  one,  calling  himself 
a  Christian,  question  the  absolute  need  he  has  to 
pray?  If  the  master  of  the  house,  infinitely  distant 
from  the  slightest  stain  of  sin,  prayed,  how  much 
more  must  they  of  his  household,  weak  and  sinful 
as  they  are  ?  If  the  Lord  over  all,  when  he  appeared 
in  our  flesh,  prayed,  how  much  more  must  fallen 
creatures  be  bound  to  pray  ?  Should  any  one  ima- 
gine himself  excused  from  this  duty  the  proper  re- 
buke of  such  audacious  impiety  is  to  reply .  tht  pro- 
phets, the  apostles,  and  the  martyrs,  all  prayed  ;  the 
Saviour  in  the  days  of  his  flesh  prayed — Whom 
makest  thou  thyself  ? 

Further,  the  absolute  need  we  have  to  pray  is 
evident,  because  it  is  the  only  means  of  obtaining 
mercy,  and  grace  to  do  the  will  of  God.  He  gives 
health  and  long  life,  houses  and  possession,  to  those 
\A'ho  never  bend  their  knee  before  him.     Not  so  spi- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  349 

ritual  and  eternal  blessings.  He  never  pardons  sin, 
or  saves  from  its  detestable  dominion,  till  prayer  is 
made  for  the  invaluable  favour.  The  unchangeable 
ordinance  runs  dius  :  If  thou  shalt  pray  unto  God, 
he  hhall  be  favourable  unto  thee,  Job  xxxiii.  *'  Thou, 
Lord,  art  good,  and  ready  to  forgive,  and  plenteous 
in  mercy  [w  hat,  to  all  sorts  of  men  indiscriminately, 
to  the  profane  and  self-sufficient  ?  No,  but]  unto  all 
them  that  call  upon  thee,"  Psalm  Ixxxvi.  6.  Om- 
niscient as  he  is,  and  full  of  compassion,  he  requires 
and  commands  us  to  make  our  requests  known  to 
him,  before  he  will  supply  our  spiritual  necessities. 
"  Call  unto  me,  and  I  will  answer  thee,  and  shew 
thee  great  and  mighty  things  which  thou  knowest 
not,"  Jer.  xxxiii.  3.  But  no  words  can  more  em- 
phatically prove  that  prayer  is  the  grand  necessary 
means  of  obtaining  mercy,  and  finding  grace  tQ 
help,  than  those  of  our  Redeemer.  *'  Ask  and  ye 
shall  have  ;  seek,  and  ye  shall  find  ;  knock,  and  it. 
shall  be  opened  unto  you."  This  is  as  much  as  to 
affirm,  that  without  asking,  seeking,  and  knocking, 
we  can  receive  no  spiritual  good  from  above.  Con. 
sequently,  not  to  pray  is,  most  evidently,  to  remain 
destitute  of  the  things  which  accompany  salvation. 
Every  one  who  desjDises  this  method,  which  God 
hath  chosen  as  the  fittest  for  conveying  necessarv 
supplies  to  the  immortal  soul,  confiding  in  his  own 
strength  or  virtues,  in  the  finished  work  of  Christ, 
or  the  election  of  grace,  must  unavoidably  remain  a 
slave  to  sin,  and  under  the  curse. 

The  profane  will  not  stoop  to  seek  help  and  pow- 
er from  on  high;  therefore,  the  appearances  of  good- 
ness, which  are  their  boast,  can  never  amount  to 
more  than  a  partial  regard  for  what  is  right ;  which, 
poor  as  it  is,  is  sure  to  fall  a  sacrifice  to  the  ruling 
passion.  Thus  you  may  often  observe  a  man  prid- 
mg  himself  on  his  moral  goodness,  and  pouring 


'350  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

contempt  on  devotional  duties,  miserably  chagrined 
by  every  trifling  disappointment,  and  for  the  slightest 
provocation  full  of  resentment,  if  not  breathing  mur- 
derous  revenge.  You  may  often  observe  a  despiser 
of  prayer  much  caressed  by  others,  and  no  less  self- 
applauded  for  humanity,  good  nature,  and  contempt 
of  money,  studiously  plotting  the  ruin  of  innocence, 
and  adding  cruelty  to  injustice,  to  gratify  his  body. 
And  frequently  you  may  see  a  warm  advocate  for 
the  doctrines  of  grace,  and  the  glory  of  Christ,  de- 
ceitful, covetous,  and  a  slave  to  sin,  through  hab- 
itual neglect  of  prayer. 

In  fact,  the  connexion  of  all  graces  is  the  work  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  const  quently  no  one  can  pay  uni- 
form obedience,  who  doth  not  place  his  dependence 
on  that  promised  helper,  only  given  to  them  who 
ask  him. 

Add  to  these  arguments  for  the  necessity  of  prayer 
the  plain  command  of  God.  No  man  is  left  at  lib- 
berty  whether  he  will  pray  or  no,  nor  can  he  neglect 
prayer,  yet  only  suffer  the  loss  of  some  advantages 
he  might  procure  by  it.  Great  guilt  is  contracted 
by  neglecting  to  pray.  It  is  a  contempt  of  God  and 
his  authority,  who  has  not  more  expressly  required 
us  to  shew  mercy  than  to  worship  himself.  *'  Men 
ought  always  to  pray,  and  to  continue  in  prayer." 
To  plead  our  good  qualities  and  good  behaviour,  as 
setting  aside  our  obligation  to  prayer,  is  actually  to 
live  in  the  commission  of  the  basest  theft,  defraud- 
ing even  God  of  his  due.  With  equal  reason,  and 
as  little  affront  to  him,  may  we  refuse  to  obey  his 
law  in  doing  justice  to  men,  as  refuse  honour  to 
himself,  to  whom  honour  in  the  highest  degree  be- 
longs. 

In  this  light  you  must  regard  the  duty  of  prayer, 
to  be  preserved  from  the  contagion  of  unreasonable 
and  wicked  men,  who  either  totally  neglect,  or  de- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  351 

plorably  trifle  and  dissemble  with  God  in  it.  So  will 
you  perceive  odious  injustice  masked  with  the  ap*. 
pearance  of  integrity  :  and  high  pretensions  to  hon- 
our, whilst,  in  fact,  there  is  a  violation  of  the  most 
important  duty,  a  duty  resulting  from  our  relation 
to  God,  as  our  Maker,  and  enjoined  by  him,  the 
one  Lawgiver,  able  to  save  and  to  destroy. 

This  injustice  towards  God,  and  contempt  of  him 
expressed  by  habitual  neglect  of  prayer,  is  a  sin 
which  no  excellencies  the  world  applauds  can  in  the 
least  degree  excuse.  Wherever  it  is  chargeable, 
like  rebellion  against  the  state,  or  adulterous  com- 
merce, it  cancels  every  pretension  to  be  spared  on 
account  of  any  good  qualities.  Kings  of  the  earth 
never  acquit  a  rebel,  because  high  treason  is  his 
only  crime ;  much  less  does  the  Lord  Almighty, 
whose  name  is  jealous,  overlook  the  contempt  thrown 
upon  himself,  because  the  person  guilty  of  it  is  free 
from  all  dishonesty  towards  men.  To  fancy  he 
will  overlook  such  an  aflfront,  is  to  entertain  the 
most  despicable  idea  of  his  character,  as  if  he  was 
ignorant  of  the  treatment  his  name  and  word  re- 
ceive, or  indifferent  about  the  matter.  But  such  a 
God  no  more  resembles  the  God  of  the  whole  earth, 
the  God  of  Christians,  than  Baal  or  Moloch.  The 
true  God  is  a  jealous  God,  and  terrible  :  jealous, 
not  to  allow  his  glory  to  be  given  to  another,  or  de- 
nied to  himself :  terrible,  to  punish  his  adversaries, 
who  rob  him  of  the  homage  he  demands,  as  the 
Lord  of  the  universe,  in  whose  hands  is  the  breath 
of  every  living  thing.  He  hath  taught  us,  by  every 
form  of  expression  which  can  engage  our  attention, 
that  to  serve  him  with  reverence  and  godly  fear  is 
the  whole  duty  of  man :  consequently  a  despiser  of 
prayer,  though  adorned  with  every  quality  the  pro- 
fane admire,  still  wants  the  one  thing  needful  to 
sanctify  his  generosity,  benevolence,  and  social  vir* 

WW 


S52  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

tues.  For,  idolized  as  these  are  by  the  world,  they 
weigh  nothing  in  the  balance  of  the  sanctuary,  un- 
less flowing  from  love  to  God.  Though  I  give  all 
my  goods  to  feed  the  poor,  and  have  not  love,  I  am 
nothuig.  '*  For  them  who  honour  me,"  saith  the 
Lord,  ''  I  will  honour,  and  they  that  despise  me 
shall  be  lightly  esteemed,"  1  Sam.  ii.  Nothing, 
therefore,  shall  excuse  or  palliate  the  insDlence  of 
attempting  to  supersede  the  necessity  of  devotion, 
by  affecting  to  magnify  moral  honesty  and  benevo- 
lence as  the  sum  of  man's  duty. 

The  profane,  indeed,  pretend  to  much  nobler 
ideas  of  the  Supreme  Being  than  Christians  who  are 
governed  by  his  own  word.  He,  say  they,  knows 
ail  things  ;  why  then  should  yet  tell  him  what  you 
want  ?  He  is  loving  also  to  every  man  :  therefore, 
without  our  request,  will  give  us  that  which  is  good. 
What  are  our  prayers  to  him  ?  Pure  and  undefiled 
religion  is,  to  do  justice,  and  love  mercy. 

The  confidence  with  which  some  make  such  as« 
sertions  would  tempt  one  to  conclude  they  know  the 
mind  of  God,  when  it  is  impossible  they  should  in 
the  least  degree.  For  as  skill  in  human  sciences 
can  only  be  gained  by  studying  them,  so  the  know- 
ledge of  God  is  only  to  be  obtained  by  prayer  and 
meditation  on  his  own  word :  both  which  the  pro- 
fane despising,  though  they  profess  themselves  wise, 
they  betray  the  grossest  ignorance  in  their  objec- 
tions against  the  necessity  of  prayer.  Had  this  duty 
been  enjoined,  either  as  giving  God  information,  or 
exciting  in  him  a  love  for  us,  to  which  he  was  a 
stranger,  till  our  petitions  gave  it  birth,  their  ob- 
jections would  have  been  of  force.  But  how  ex- 
ceedingly foolish  are  they,  when  all  our  encourage- 
ment  to  pray  is  a  precious  full  assurance  that 
God  knows,  better  than  we  can  ourselves,  all  our 
w^ants,  and,  because  he  loves  us,  will  hear  and  an- 
swer. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OV  MAN.     '  S53 

The  absolute  necessity  then  of  prayer  remains  in^ 
disputable  on  the  grounds  already  mentioned,   viz. 
the  constant  practice  of  the  saints,  and  of  the  Sav- 
iour too,  as  the  grand  means  of  obtaining  grace,  to 
serve  God  acceptably,  enjoined   by  his  high  com- 
mand.    To  these  one  argument  more  may  be  add- 
ed :  prayer  is  necessary  to  preserve  and  increase  in 
our  minds  a  clear  knowledge   of  our  many  wants, 
a  sense  of  our  absolute  dependence  upon  God,  and 
a  lively  gratitude  for  his  mercies.     Such  a  solemn 
constant  representation  of  these  great  truths  beiore 
our  Maker  is  of  admirable  efficacy  !     The  conclu- 
sion,  therefore,  is  evident  (let  it  be  well  weighed) 
that  no  engagements  in  business  or  practice   of  so- 
cial duties' will  justify  either  neglect  of  prayer,  or  a 
cold   customary  performance   of  the   duty.     Our 
prayer  must  be  diligent,  persevering,  importunate  ; 
no  other  prayer  is  heir  to  any  promise  honourable  to 
God,  or  profitable  to  men.     Whatever  the  world 
does,  such  prayer  will  every  believer  in  Jesus  present 
before  the  throne  of  grace. 


SUNDAY  XLVIII. 

CHAP.  XLVIII. 

The  Properties  of  acceptable  Prayer, 

We  have  proved  the  true  object,  the  nature,  the 
subject  matter,  and  the  necessity  of  prayer  ;  we  are 
now  to  point  out  the  properties  which  make  it  ac- 
ceptable, and  ensure  its  success. 

The  first  is  a  real  purpose,  to  believe  and  do  as 


Sp4  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

God  teaches  and  commands.  For  if,  from  pride  of 
learning,  or  love  of  sin,  we  refuse  to  submit  to  his 
authority,  flattering  ourselves  that  multiplied  devo- 
tions are  sufficient,  or  obedience  in  all  points,  save 
where  the  beloved  lust  is  spared — in  this  case,  our 
prayers  will  be  resented  as  an  high  provocation. 
For  what  can  be  baser  than  a  profession  of  honoring 
God  by  our  vvorship,  when  we  manifest  real  con- 
tempt of  him  by  wilful  disobedience?  What  greater 
offence  than  to  implore  pardon,  though  determined 
not  yet  to  give  up  sin  ?  Or  to  pretend  to  call  upon 
the  Lord  for  liberty,  as  if  we  were  enslaved  against 
our  will,  when  we  love  our  bondage  ?  If  we  regard 
iniquity  in  our  hearts,  though  we  make  many  prayers, 
he  will  hide  his  face  from  us  :  "  For  he  heareth  not 
sinners ;  but  if  any  man  be  a  worshipper  of  God, 
ajid  doth  his  will,  him  he  heareth." 

Yet  it  must  be  observed  in  this  place,  with  pe- 
culiar caution,  that  no  one,  though  in  actual  subjec- 
tion to  sin,  ought  to  be  discouraged,  on  this  account, 
from  praying,  provided  he  in  earnest  seeks  deliver- 
ance, because  from  the  throne  of  grace  he  must  re- 
ceive that  blessing.  In  a  guilty  and  enslaved  con- 
dition, all  the  saints  of  God  have  began  first  to  call 
upon  him  :  nor  is  any  one  disqualified  from  making 
acceptable  prayer,  though  the  combat  with  a  master 
sin  is  for  a  time  severe  and  dubious,  and  he  may  be 
frequently  overcome  by  his  own  wickedness.  If,  in 
this  sad  case,  the  sinner  feels  shame  and  sorrow, 
with  great  desire  (notwithstanding  the  dreadful 
power  of  his  corruptions)  to  serve  God,  he  ought 
immediately  to  make  his  confession,  and'bewail  his 
miserable  bondage. — Then  will  he  know  there  is  a 
deliverer,  who  looketh  down  from  heaven  to  hear 
the  groanings  of  such  as  arc  in  captivity  to  their 
sins,  and  ready  to  perish.  Nay,  where  relapses  arc 
fi^^quent,  though  the  condition  be  most  deplorable^ 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  455 

yet  let  not  prayer  be  given  up  ;  for  this  is  turning 
our  back  on  the  only  remedy  which  can  be  used. 
If  there  be  a  real  contention  against  sin,  and  unfeign- 
ed prayer  for  victory  over  it,  I  would  encourage 
such  to  maintain  the  combat.  Their  souls  are  at 
stake,  and  the  promise  of  God  is  sure,  he  will  yet 
hear  their  cry,  and  will  help  them. 

A  second  property  in  all  acceptable  prayer  is  self- 
abasement.  We  must  draw  nigh  to  God,  conscious 
of  our  vileness,  which  renders  us  unworthy  so  much 
as  to  lift  up  our  eyes  to  Heaven,  much  more  to  re- 
ceive pardon,  peace,  and  salvation.  We  must  make 
our  requests  as  mere  objects  of  mercy,  who  would 
have  no  cause  to  complain,  were  our  sins  punished 
with  eternal  death.  Great  stress  is  laid  upon  this 
humiliation  of  the  soul  by  the  inspired  writers. 
^'  The  Lord  is  nigh  unto  them  that  are  of  a  broken 
heart,  and  saveth  such  as  be  of  a  contrite  spirit," 
Psalm  xxxiv.  When  Jehovah  describes  the  glory 
of  his  Majesty  in  the  subUmest  manner,  he  specifies 
this  indispensable  requisite  in  the  right  worship  of 
his  name  :  ''  Thus  saith  the  high  and  lofty  One,  who 
inhabiteth  eternity,  whose  name  is  Holy,  I  dwell  in 
the  high  and  holy  place  with  him  also  that  is  of  a 
contrite  and  humble  spirit,  to  revive  the  spirit  of  the 
humble,  and  to  revive  the  heart  of  the  contrite  ones." 
St.  James  strongly  urges  the  same  humiliation ;  he 
addresses  those  who  were  formal  in  their  devotions, 
constant  and  punctual  in  prayer,  but  little  affected 
with  their  defilement  and  sinfulness.  After  reprov- 
ing them  for  asking  amiss,  that  they  might  consume 
it  upon  their  lusts,  he  directs  them  how  to  pray  with 
success  :  "  God,"  says  he,  "  resisteth  the  proud,  but 
giveth  grace  to  the  humble.  Be  afflicted,  and  mourn, 
and  weep.  Let  your  laughter  be  turned  to  mourn- 
ing, and  your  joy  to  heaviness  ;  humble  yourselves 
In  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  and  he  shall  lift  you  up," 


U3l 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 


This  abiding  sense  of  our  own  vilencss  must  at- 
tend our  prayer,  in  opposition  to  those  self-exalting 
ideas  natural  to  us,  and  in  full  proof  that  we  know  no 
man  living  can  be  justified  in  the  sight  of  God> 
should  he  enter  into  judgment  with  him. 

To  this  humiliation  must  be  joined  affiance  in  God, 
and  boldness  in  approaching  him.  When  we  ask, 
v/e  must  not  fluctuate  between  hope  and  doubt ;  but 
be  assured,  we  shall  no  less  certainly  obtain  all  wc 
need,  than  if  the  blessings  we  implore  were  already 
given.  When,  for  instance,  we  confess  our  sins  with 
sorrow  and  humiliation,  begging  mercy  through  the 
atonem  nt,  we  must  be  confident  wc  shall  not  be 
disappointed ;  or  when  we  pray  for  victory  over  our 
natural  corruptions,  we  must  assure  ourselves  they 
shall  be  subdued.  When,  in  great  distress  and  per- 
plexity of  mind,  we  beg  of  God  direction,  support 
and  deliverance,  we  must  not  listen  to  a  fear,  that 
perhaps  we  shall  not  be  heard :  for  by  harbouring 
distrust,  whether  God  will  perform  his  gracious 
promises,  we  exceedingly  dishonour  him  ;  and,  in 
the  very  act  of  addressing  him  as  almighty,  good, 
gracious,  and  faithful,  betray  a  suspicion  of  his  vera- 
city, power,  or  love  towards  them  who  call  on  his 
name.  Jesus  saith,  '^  Have  faith  in  God."  Depend 
without  reserve  upon  him,  for  the  performance  of 
every  thing  he  hath  promised :  "  For  verily  I  say 
unto  you,  that  whosoever  shall  say  unto  this  moun- 
tain, Be  thou  moved,  and  be  thou  cast  into  the  sea, 
and  shall  not  doubt  in  his  heart,  but  shall  believe 
that  those  things  which  he  saith  shall  come  to  pass, 
lie  shall  have  whatsoever  he  saith."  How  great  so- 
ever the  difficulty  may  be  which  you  meet  with  in 
the  way  of  duty,  and  as  much  above  your  strength 
to  remove  as  to  root  up  a  mountain  by  a  word  from 
your  mouth,  it  shall  be  brought  to  pass  provided 
you  place  an  unshaken  trust  in  the  divine  power  and 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.'  Ssr 

promises.  "  If  ye  believe  ye  have  the  things  yc 
ask  for,  ye  shall  receive  them."  Some  would  con- 
fine such  commands  and  promises  to  the  apostles. 
But  St.  James  gives  it  as  an  unchangeable  direction 
to  the  church.  *'  If  any  one  of  you  lack  wisdom., 
let  him  ask  of  God,  wh©  giveth  to  all  men  liberally, 
and  upbraideth  not ;  and  it  shall  be  given  him.  But 
let  him  ask  in  faith,  nothing  wavering  :  for  he  that 
wavereth  is  like  a  wave  of  the  sea,  driven  with  the 
wind,  and  tossed.  For  let  not  that  man  think  that 
he  shall  receive  any  thing  of  the  Lord,"  James  i. 

These  passages  prove  affiance  in  God  is  a  princi- 
pal property  of  Christian  prayer,  and  require  us  to 
apply  to  him  with  liberty  and  confidence  as  to  a  Fa- 
ther. Indeed  amongst  all  who  love  us,  we  can  find 
none  so  tender  and  affectionate  as  he  is  to  those  who 
call  upon  him.  The  delightful  communion  between 
him  and  the  faithful  is  therefore  strongly  expressed 
in  the  following  words ;  *'  We  have  not  received  the 
spirit  of  bondage  again  to  fear,  but  we  have  receiv- 
ed the  spirit  of  adoption,  whereby  we  cry  Abba,  Fa- 
ther. The  Spirit  itself  bcareth  witness  with  our  spi- 
rit, that  we  are  the  children  of  God."  Our  worship 
and  absolute  obedience  to  the  eternal  Majesty  is  sof- 
tened into  holy  familarity,  and,  through  the  abun- 
dant grace  of  redemption,  converted  into  a  child- 
like dependence  upon  his  care  and  love  for  us. 
Rom.  viii. 

It  is  difficult,  indeed,  to  conceive  how  such  confi- 
dence in  God,  and  assurance  of  receiving  from  him 
every  thing  we  ask  for  the  good  of  our  souls,  can 
consist  with  a  deep  abiding  consciousness  of  our  own 
vilcness  ;  or  how  we  can  conquer  the  doubts  arising 
from  a  sight  of  our  numberless  defects,  so  as  to  ask 
without  a  faltering  tongue. 

To  remove  this  difficulty,  another  grand  property 
•f  prayer,  without  which  it  cannot  succeed,  must  be 


S^S  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

insisted  on,  viz.  Dependence  on  die  sacrifice, 
righteousness,  and  intercession  of  Christ,  the  Head 
and  great  High  Priest  of  his  church.  By  this  we 
constantly  acknowledge  our  own  good  qualities  are 
so  far  from  procuring  of  themselves  regard  from 
God,  that  we  do  not  presume  to  offer  him  even  the 
homage  due  unto  his  name,  without  having  respect 
to  the  merit  of  the  all-perfect  Mediator  between 
God  and  man.  By  this  act,  we  confess,  that  the 
death  of  Jesus,  for  our  transgressions,  to  satisfy  and 
demonstrate  the  justice  of  God,  and  his  appearing 
in  heaven  our  advocate,  and  the  propitiation  for  our 
sin,  is  our  grand  encouragement  to  draw  nigh  to 
God  in  full  assurance  of  faith,  notwithstanding  the 
infinite  purity  of  his  nature,  the  dreadful  examples 
of  his  indignation  against  sin,  and  the  defilement 
daily  coming  upon  us. 

When  Jesus  is  thus  our  peace  and  hope,  there  is 
no  room  for  confusion  or  distrust  though  we  be  un- 
worthy and  vile.  For  he  is  ordained  of  God  to  make 
reconciliation  for  the  sins  of  the  people.  He  stands 
engaged  by  office  and  love  to  undertake  the  cause, 
and  save  the  souls  of  all  who  come  to  God  by  him. 
And  the  command  from  heaven  is  express,  that  we 
should,  in  consideration  of  his  character  and  office, 
*'  come  boldly  to  the  throne  of  grace,  that  we  may 
©btain  mercy,  and  find  grace  to  help  in  time  of 
need." 

Further,  it  is  essential  to  acceptable  prayer,  that 
it  be  offered  up  in  the  name  of  Christy  if  not  imme- 
diately addressed  to  himself.  We  commit  a  capital 
offence  when  we  overlook  him.  If  any  one  dare  to 
think  thus  with  himself — The  mercy  of  God  is  suffi- 
cient encouragement  to  me  to  pray  ;  I  esteem  it  a 
disparagement  of  his  goodness  to  apply  to  him  by  a 
Mediator ;  I  need  no  one  to  intercede  for  me,  nor 
will  I  be  beholden  to  any  thing  more  than  my  own 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  359 


good  qualities,  and  fitness  for  pardon,  to  make  my 
peace  with  God,  and  procure  me  the  benefit  of  eter- 
nal happhiess.  Prayer  offered  up  to  God  upon  such 
principles  by  any  man  is  as  great  a  wickedness  as  if 
he  blessed  an  idol.  It  is  an  audacious  censure  of  the 
divine  constitution  in  the  method  of  saving  sinners 
and  rebels.  It  is,  as  far  as  lies  in  man's  power,  to 
pull  down  the  Son  of  God  from  his  throne,  and 
thurst  him  out  of  that  highest  office  of  unspeakable 
benevolence  and  glory,  which  he  discharges  in  hea- 
ven. It  is  to  treat  even  the  revelation  of  God  with 
scorn,  since  the  most  conspicuous  doctrine  in  the 
Bible  is,  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  one  Mediator  be- 
tween God  and  man,  and  advocate  with  the  Father, 
and  a  propitiation  for  sin  through  faith  in  his  blood, 
that  God  might  be  just,  and  yet  the  justilier  of  all 
that  believe  in  Jesus. 

There  is  an  absolute  need,  therefore,  that  in  all 
our  approaches  to  God,  we  honour  the  Son  even  as 
we  honour  the  Father,  by  solemnly  expressing  our 
dependence  upon  his  sacrifice,  righteousness,  and 
intercession  as  the  only  means  of  enjoying  the  love 
of  God. 

Though  we  ask,  therefore,  only  things  promised, 
as  disciples  of  Christ,  and  in  his  name,  meaning  no 
more,  by  these  terms,  than  that  we  believe  Christ 
was  a  prophet  sent  of  God,  our  petitions,  instead  of 
finding  acceptance,  will  be  a  high  crime,  betraying 
our  haughty  spirit  and  stubborn  unbelief.  For  noth- 
ing but  pride,  and  a  rejection  of  Christ  the  Saviour, 
can  lead  us  flatly  to  contradict  the  scripture  declara- 
tions :  *' There  is  no  other  name  given  under  hea- 
ven, whereby  we  can  be  saved,  but  that  of  Jesus ; 
no  way  of  coming  to  the  Father,  but  by  him."  To 
suppose  we  may  come  in  our  own  name,  if  we 
practice  moral  righteousness,  makes  Christ  of  none 
effect.     No  wonder,  therefore,  such  stress  is  laid,  in 

X   X 


300  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

scripture,  on  prayer  being  offered  up  to  God  througli 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

From  what  has  been  advanced,  it  appears  indis- 
putable, that  a  real  purpoj^e  to  obey  God,  a  humble 
sense  of  our  vile  polluted  condition  before  him,  a 
full  assurance  of  being  heard,  and  a  perpetual  de- 
pendence on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  the  one  Media- 
tor, must  unite  in  all  acct  ptabie  prayer. 

In  the  prayer  of  all  real  Christians,  they  do  unite 
at  first  faintly,  and  not  so  easily  to  be  discerned;  but 
as  Christians  grow  in  grace,  thes^  properties  become 
more  and  more  conspicuous,  and  they  themselves 
more  conscious  and  assured,  that  in  this  manner  they 
worship  the  God  ot  their  salvation.^ 

But  this  spirit  of  true  devotion  is  not  confined  to 
the  closet  or  family.  It  leads  Christians  to  delight 
in  the  great  congregation,  and  be  present  in  all  ordi- 
nances by  which  God  is  honoured,  his  faithful  peo- 
ple comforted  and  strengthened,  and  paricularly,  as 
opportunity  offers,  it  is  the  desire  of  every  one  who 
p^lories  in  the  cross  of  Christ,  to  eat  and  drink  at  his 
table,  that  they  may  there  enjo)  the  communion  of 
saints,  and  the  most  lively  representation  of  Christ's 
body  given  for  them,  and  of  the  blood  of  the  New 
Testament  shed  for  the  renusbion  of  shis. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  36  b 

SUNDAY  XLIX. 

CHAP.    XLIX. 
On  the  certain  Success  of  Prayer. 

Believers  in  Chnst  are  encouraged  diligently 
to  pray,  from  absolute  assurances  that  they  shall 
succeed.  This  success  is  ascertained  by  consider, 
ing  from  whence  true  prayer  in  the  heart  arises. 
We  are  taught  in  scripture,  that  of  ourselves  we  can- 
not think  a  good  thought,  much  less  feel  a  desire  and 
purpose  to  obey  the  Lord  God  in  all  things.  If 
then  we  do  come  to  him,  as  a  child  in  want  to  his 
father,  trusting  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  it  is  from 
a  divme  influence  called  in  scripture,  the  draw- 
ing of  the  Father.  Can  such  a  gift  be  vouchsafed 
in  vain  ?  Can  we  think  any  one  is  enlightened  to  beg 
grace,  that  he  may  know  and  live  in  obedience  to 
the  will  of  God,  yet  not  be  heard  ?  Can  a  poor  pe- 
titioner  fall  down  low  on  his  knees  before  God  for 
thib  excellent  gift,  yet  rise  up  confounded  at  the  re- 
jection of  his  suit  ?  No,  by  no  means.  The  merci- 
ful, gracious  God  is  not  wont  thus  to  afflict  the  con- 
trite S[)irit,  and  disappoint  the  holy  expectations 
excited  in  the  heart  by  his  own  agency.  On  the 
contrary,  a  real  desire  of  receiving  any  spiritual 
blessing  is  a  pledge  of  its  being  given  :  "■  For  every 
good  and  every  perfect  gift  cometh  from  above,  from 
the  Father  of  lights,  in  whom  is  no  variableness, 
neither  shadow  of  turning,  who  of  his  own  will  be- 
got us  by  the  word  of  his  truth,"   James  i. 

This  is  established  by  many  affecting  declarations. 
God  represents  himsplf  as  taking  delight  in  the 


36a  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

prayer  of  the  upright.  In  one  place,  assurance  of 
success  in  prayer  is  described  by  his  looking  into 
the  recesses  of  the  heart,  waiting  to  see  the  first 
dawning  of  prayer,  and  to  answer  it  before  clothed 
in  the  form  of  a  direct  petition.  "  And  it  shall  come 
to  pass  that  before  they  call,  I  wull  answer,  and 
■while  they  are  yet  speaking,  I  will  hear;"  Isa.  Ixxvi. 
In  another,  he  commands  one  of  his  children  to  pub- 
lish the  immediate  acceptance  of  his  own  prayer  :  "  I 
said  I  will  confess  my  transgressions  unto  the  Lord, 
and  so  thou  forgavest  the  iniquity  of  my  sin ;"  Ps. 
xxxii. 

These  passages  assure  us,  we  can  never  pray  for  a 
spiritual  blessing,  without  receiving  it.  And  that 
we  might  harbour  no  suspicion  of  the  success  of 
prayer,  our  Lord  compares  the  readiness  with  which 
God  succours  the  poor  and  needy  who  call  upon 
him,  to  that  which  tender  parents  feel  for  their  off- 
spring in  their  wants — "  What  man  is  there  of  you, 
who  if  a  son  ask  bread  will  he  give  him  a  stone  ?  Or 
if  he  ask  a  fish  will  he  give  him  a  serpent  ?  If  ye  then 
being  evil  [vitiated  in  your  nature,  are  still  by  instinct 
drawn  glacliy  to  supply  the  necessities  of  your  chil- 
dren], how  much  more  shall  your  heavenly  Father 
give  good  things  to  them  that  ask  him  ?" 

Should  it  be  objected,  that  the  faults  of  the  best 
are  so  many,  as  may  well  excite  their  doubts,  whe- 
ther God,  consistently  with  the  honour  of  his  per- 
fections, can  hear  them,  this  perplexity  is  removed 
by  the  assurance  that  Jesus  Christ,  the  righteous, 
appears  in  heaven  an  advocate  in  behalf  of  all  who 
call  on  him,  alleging  what  satisfies  the  law,  and  ab- 
solves the  humbled  delinquent.  The  memorial  of 
his  abundant  kindness  in  dying  on  the  cross,  is  per- 
petually before  God,  whilst  the  Mediator  declares  it 
his  rightful  request,  that  for  his  sake  the  prayers  of 
those  who  believe  in  him  should  be  accepted,  their 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  37,3 

sins  blotted  out,  and  increase  of  grace  bestowed  upon 
them,  for  he  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession. 

This  truth  is  represented  with  the  greatest  mag- 
nificence in  the  book  of  Revelation.  The  beloved 
disciple,  we  read,  saw  in  vision  all  the  choir  of  an- 
gels :  * '  and  there  was  silence  in  heaven  for  the  space 
of  half  an  hour."  But  wherefore  do  the  praises,  for 
ever  due,  cease  to  ascend  before  the  throne  ?  It  was 
that  their  whole  attention  might  fix  on  the  great  an- 
gel, who,  as  the  High  Priest  on  the  day  of  atone- 
ment, carried  incense  in  a  golden  censer,  and  burnt 
it  in  the  holy  of  holies  before  the  Lord  ;  so  now  he, 
the  great  High  Priest  of  our  profession,  stands  in  a 
ministering  posture  before  the  altar  of  burnt- offerings, 
signifying  the  atonement  he  had  made  by  his  own 
blood.  **  And  there  was  given  unto  him  much  in- 
cense, that  he  should  offer  it  with  the  prayers  of  all 
saints,  upon  the  golden  altar  which  was  before  the 
throne.  And  the  smoke  of  the  incense  which  came 
with  the  prayers  of  the  sahits,  ascended  up  before  God 
out  of  the  angeFs  hand."  As  the  perfuming  smoke 
of  incense,  composed  of  finest  spices,  ascended  up 
like  a  cloud  to  heaven,  with  the  prayers  of  the  con- 
gregation of  Israel,  offered  at  the  same  time  ;  in  this 
manner  a  representation  was  made  of  Christ's  sacri- 
fice and  oblation,  the  virtue  of  which  mingled  like 
precious  incense  with  the  prayers  of  the  Christian 
church,  to  make  them  a  sacrifice  of  a  sweet-smelling 
savour  unto  God ;  Rev.  viii. 

And  to  add  greater  force  to  this  magnificent  re- 
presentation of  the  Saviour's  intercession,  which 
gives  infallible  success  to  the  pra}  er  of  faith,  it  is  in- 
troduced immediately  before  the  phials  of  wrath  are 
poured  out  upon  the  apostate  churches  of  Christ. 
Thus  in  the  most  affecting  manner  we  are  assured, 
that  when  the  Almighty  "whets  his  glittering  sword, 
and  cries,  Aha!  1  will  rid  myself  of  my  adversaries!" 


S64  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

no  supplicant  approaching  him  by  Jesus  Christ  shall 
have  cause  to  say  his  prayers  were  not  heard.  How 
dishonourable  then,  and  injurious  to  the  love  of  the 
Father,  the  mediation  of  the  Son,  and  the  gracious 
influence  of  the  Spirit,  is  one  doubt  about  the  suc- 
cess of  prayer ! 

Its  certain  success  is  evident  from  the  promise  of 
God  *'to  fulfil  the  desire  of  them  who  fear  him,  to 
hear  their  cry,  and  help  them.  Every  one  that  ask- 
eth,  receiveth  ;  and  every  one  that  seeketh  findeth ; 
and  to  him  that  knocketh,  it  shall  be  opened,  M  it. 
vii.  Whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  in  my  name,  that  will 
I  do,  that  the  Father  may  be  glorified  in  the  Son, 
If  ye  shall  ask  any  thing  in  my  name,  I  will  do  it," 
John  xiv. 

To  carry  this  assurance  to  the  hie^hest  degree,  I  add, 
in  the  last  place,  the  testimony  of  facts-  If  all  who 
have  prayed  in  the  manner  God  has  marked  out,  for 
the  blessings  he  has  promised,  have  without  fail  re- 
ceived them,  there  cannot  be  a  more  clear  demonstra- 
tion of  any  truth,  than  of  the  infallible  success  of 
prayer. 

The  word  of  God  abounds  with  proof  that  he  takes 
pleasure  in  making  his  power  tributary,  as  it  were, 
to  the  prayer  of  his  faithful  people.  By  prayer 
Joshua  stopped  the  sun  in  his  course,  that  he  might 
execute  the  will  of  God  on  his  enemies.  By  prayer 
Elijah,  a  man  of  like  passions  with  ourselves,  opened 
and  shut  the  heavens.  By  prayer  the  three  children 
^vere  preserved  from  harm  in  the  fiery  furnace,  and 
Daniel  in  the  lion's  den.  The  time  would  fail  to 
mention  all  the  instances  recorded  in  scripture  of  the 
wonders  wrought  by  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  in  answer 
to  prayer. 

But  if  in  extraordinary  cases  God,  for  the  vindi- 
cation of  his  truth,  and  manifestation  of  his  glory 
thus  answered  the  prayer  of  faith,  how  certain  must 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  3GS 

be  its  cfRcacy,  when  by  it  we  seek  only  pardon,  de* 
liverance  from  sin,  and  those  graces  by  which  we 
may  glorify  our  Maker  ?  There  is  indeed  no  age 
without  a  cloud  of  witnesses  to  the  infaUible  success 
of  prayer.  Ask  those  distinguished  Christians  in  our 
own  time,  who  bear  the  brightest  resemblance  to 
their  Saviour,  how  they  obtained  such  admirable 
mastery  over  their  passions,  such  good- will  and  kind- 
ness towards  all  men  ;  such  readiness  of  obedience 
to  God,  through  unfeigned  love  of  his  name,  and 
delight  in  his  service  ;  ask  them,  and  they  will  de- 
clare with  one  voice.  Not  by  any  power,  wisdom, 
or  resolution  of  our  ow^n  ;  not  through  any  original 
better  formation,  or  advantage  of  education,  but 
through  the  grace  ol  God,  earnestly  sought  in  pra}  er, 
we  are  what  we  are.  We  began  in  earnest,  we  per- 
severed with  importunit}  in  calling  upon  the  name 
of  the  Lord  ;  he  heard,  and  we  are  not  disappointed 
of  our  hope.* 

On  the  contrary,  there  is  not  within  the  pale  of 
the  Christian  church  a  single  slave  to  the  love  of 
women,  wine,  or  money  ;  not  one  led  captive  by  a 
sour,  angry,  peevish,  or  turbulent  spirit,  but  knows 
that  either  he  despises  pray  er,  or  trifles  with  it;  either 
disbelieves  the  necessity  or  the  success  of  this  ap- 
plication to  God :  or  never  once  heartily  engages  in 

*  Many  illustrious  proofs  confiri-n  the  prevalence  of  prayer 
with  God,  and  are  to  be  found  in  the  lives  of  the  most  excellent- 
But  I  never  met  with  a  more  pleasing  and  honourable  one  than 
that  recorded  in  the  life  of  the  celebrated  physician,  Boerhaave. 
A  friend  of  his  who  had  often  admired  his  patience  under  the 
greatest  provocation  asked  him  by  what  means  he  had  so  en- 
tirely suppressed  that  impetuous  passion,  anger  ?  The  Doc- 
tor answered,  with  the  utmost  frankness  and  sincerity,  that  nat- 
urally he  was  quick  of  rescntnvent,  butby  daily  prayer  he  at- 
tained that  mastery  over  himself.    Burton's  LiJ\  of  Boerhaave, 

It  was  his  custom,  never  \-iolated,  to  spend  the  first  hour  of 
every  day  in  pv.yer,  though  patients  from  every  country  in  Eu- 
rope applied  to  him  for  advice. 


366  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN, 

it.  Hence  he  cannot  possibly  experience  victory 
over  his  detestable  tempers,  but  must  live  and  die 
in  his  fetters,  and  in  his  infamy. 

Be  glad  then,  O  ye  righteous,  and  rejoice  all  ye 
that  are  true  hearted;  sing,  and  give  thanks  unto 
the  God  of  all  grace,  ye  who  love  your  fellow-crea- 
tures, whilst  ye  behold  the  abundant  provision  God 
has  made  to  succour  the  poor  and  needy  sons  of 
Ad  i«n  ;  even  an  infallible  relief  in  prayer,  under  all 
diffi^^^iities,  sorrows,  and  temptations. 

Hence  every  real  Christian  must  exceedingly 
value  praver,  and  diligently  persevere  in  it,  till  the 
same  bountiful  God,  whose  ears  are  ever  open  to  the 
prayers  of  his  faithful  people,  in  the  end  open  heaven 
to  their  persons  :  till  he  give  them  admission  into 
that  glorious  world,  w^here  petitions  cease  for  ever ; 
because  neither  w^eakness,  nor  want,  nor  fear,  nor 
trials  remain,  but  all  the  soul  feels  is  perfect  felicity, 
love,  and  praise. 

With  prayer.  Christians  must  constantly  join  an- 
other principal  part  of  devotion,  the  study  of  God's 
word.  All  scripture,  the  Old  no  less  than  the  New 
Testament,  ''is  given  by  inspiration  of  God,  and  is 
profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  for 
instruction  in  righteousness.''  Therefore  we  are 
commanded  to  search  into,  and  meditate  upon  it 
night  and  day.  "  These  words,  which  I  command 
thee,  shall  be  in  thy  heart ;  and  thou  shah  bind  them 
as  a  sign  upon  thy  hand;  and  they  shall  be  as  frontlets 
between  thine  eyes,  and  thou  shalt  write  them  upon 
the  posts  of  thy  house,  and  upon  thy  gates,"  Deut. 
vi.  u  e.  thou  shalt  be  continually  conversant  in  them, 
and  carefully  treasure  them  up  in  your  mind.  St. 
Paul,  speaking  of  the  Old,  not  the  New  Testament, 
teaches  us,  that  ''  whatsoever  thii^gs  were  written 
aforetime,  were  written  for  our  learning,  and  our  ad- 
monition."  Of  the  New  Testament  we  are  infallibly 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  367 

assured  it  was  written,  that  "  we  might  believe  that 
Jesus  is  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  and  that  b«  iiev- 
in^,  we  might  have  life  throui<h  him"  John  xx. 
St  Peter  instructs  us,  that  he  wrote  both  his  epistles, 
to  stir  up  the  pure  minds  of  Christians  by  *'vvay  oi  rc- 
m(  mbrance,  and  to  put  them  in  mind  of  the  words 
which  were  spoken  before  by  the  holy  prophets,  and 
of  the  commandments  of  the  apostles  of  the  Lord 
and  Saviour." 

The  end,  then,  for  which  the  scriptures  were  in- 
spired of  God,  and  are  put  into  our  hands,  is,  that  we 
may  with  great  care  and  diligence  peruse  them.  Un- 
less we  do  so,  we  ])rofanely  despise  both  his  author- 
ity and  great  goodness.     We  act  as  if  we  either 
thought  he  was  beneath  our  notice,  or  we  so  little 
needed  his  counsels,  that  it  is  not  worth  our  while 
to  read  what  his  prophets,  apostles,  and  own  Son 
have  published  :    not  worth  our  while,  though  the 
contents  of  God's  word  are  of  everlasting  moment: 
for  it  proposes  articles  of  faith  under  the  most  awful 
sanctions ;  eternal  life,  if  we  receive  them ;  death 
eternal,  if  we  reject  them.     It  prescribes  a  rule  of 
duty  essential  to  our  peace,  comfort,  and  safety.     It 
holds  forth  promises  exceeding  great,    to  excite  our 
diligence,  and  encourage  our  hope,  and  threatenings 
of  such  misery  as  infinitely  exceeds  all  evil  in  this 
world,  that  at  all  times  we  may  hear  and  fear,  and 
never  commit  iniquity.    He,  therefore,  who  neglects 
to  study  and  search  the  scripture,  betrays  his  unbe- 
lief  and  scorn  of  his  Maker ;  and  proves  that,  like  a 
brute,  he  only  desires  what  can  do  his  body  good. 
Indeed,  the  will  of  God  is  so  plainly  revealed  in 
this  matter,  that  no  one  but  an  infidel  will  justify  a 
total  neglect  of  the  Bible.    But  then,  amongst  a  mul- 
titude who  read  the  Bible,  allowance  no  doubt  must 
be  made  for  different  capacities,  and  difivrent  situa- 
tions in  life ;  because  these  things  make  a  great  dif- 

Y  y 


S68  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

ference  respecting  the  time  which  can  be  spared  for 
so  excellent  an  employment,  and  the  knowledge  of 
scripture.  Yet,  the  principal  thing  men  of  all  sta- 
tions are  to  avoid,  is  a  formal  careless  way  of  read- 
ing. This  has  been,  in  all  ages,  a  general  fault,  and 
a  great  one  indeed  ;  for  we  may  read  the  scripture 
in  this  way  every  day  of  our  lives,  and  be  in  no  de- 
gree wiser  or  better.  To  derive  spiritual  benefit 
from  the  Bible,  the  following  rules  must  necessari- 
Iv  be  observed. 

We  must  lift  up  our  hearts  to  God,  whose  book 
it  is,  to  explain  to  us  what   we  are  about  to  read. 
This  is  required,   because  the  doctrines,  which  are 
the   glory   of  the  Bible,  sorely    offend  our  natural 
pride ;  and  its  pure  precepts  are  intolerable  to  our 
sensuality  and   blind   self4ove.     A   heavenly   ray, 
therefore,  must  come  down  from  the  fountain  of 
light  to  reveal  the  excellency  of  the  doctrines,  and 
our  want  of  the  relief  and  salvation  they  bring ;  and 
the  mercy  and  love  there  is  in  every  commandment, 
that  we  may  cheerfully  obey.     In  these  points,  scrip- 
ture  is  every  clear.     "No  man  can  say  that  Jesus 
is  the  Lord,  but  by  the  Holy  Ghost."     And  when 
St.  Paul  speaks  of  the  faithful,  who  knew  the  things 
which  were  freely  given  of  God  to  them,  he  says, 
they  received  the  Spirit  which  is  of  God,  that  they 
might  knoiv  them.     And,  in  old  time,  so  deeply  sen- 
sible were  holy  men  of  their  inability  to  reap  advan- 
tage from  the   word  of  God  without  his  teaching, 
that  with  the  word  before  them  they  continually 
make  request  that  they  might  understand  it.     *'  I  am 
a  stranger  upon  earth.     O  hide  not  thy  command- 
ments from  me.     I  am  thy  servant,  O  give  me  un- 
derstanding, that  I  may  know  thy  statutes.     Open 
thou  my  eyes,  that  I  may  behold  wondrous  things 
put  of  thy  law." 

These  blessed  servants  of  God  we  must  imitate. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  369 

and,  when  we  read  his  word,  seek  the  true  meaning 
and  interpretation  of  it  from  his  Spirit,  promised  to 
all  who  ask  it.  Not  indeed  expecting  a  ?ie7V  light 
as  that  signifies  any  neiu  doctrine,  distinct  from  scrip- 
ture, or  supplemental  to  it :  either  of  these  is  wild 
enthusiasm,  both  pitiable  and  dangerous.  But  most 
rational  and  wise  it  is  to  expect  and  pray  for  the 
Spirit,  whilst  we  diligently  study  the  written  word ; 
because  this  is  not  given  us  to  lessen,  but  increase 
our  dependence  upon  God.  But  if  the  gift  of  the 
word  was  sufficient,  provided  we  made  due  use  of 
our  rational  faculties,  there  would  be  no  room  for  ex- 
ercising dependence  upon  God,  as  the  continual 
fountain  of  light.  We  might  trust  to  our  own  un- 
derstanding solely.  Besides,  in  full  proof  of  the 
insufficiency  of  the  written  word  to  do  us  good,  if 
we  are  not  enlightened  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  he  is  pro- 
mised to  abide  with  the  church  of  Christ  for  ever, 
as  the  spirit  of  wisdom  and  revelation  in  the  know- 
ledge of  the  things  of  God ;  nor  shall  we  ever  feel 
their  excellency,  authority,  and  power,  without  this 
internal  revelation. 

There  is,  I  readily  grant,  a  knowledge  of  scrip- 
ture truths,  which  men  of  parts  and  penetration  at- 
tain at  once,  upon  turning  their  attention  to  them ; 
so  that  they  can  talk  and  preach  about  them  without 
detection  amongst  the  muhitude,  whilst  they  are 
workers  of  iniquity,  blind  and  dead  in  their  sins. 
How  worthless  this  knowledge  !  What  a  scandal  to 
Christianity  !  Better  never  to  have  known  the  way 
of  the  holy  commandment,  than  to  hold  the  truth  in 
unrighteousness.  Yet  thus  unprofitable  must  all 
knowledge  of  divine  things  be,  till  the  grace  of  God 
gives  them  power  to  sway  the  soul.  Because,  by 
whatever  way  we  come  to  the  knowledge  of  any 
truth,  contrary  to  the  bent  of  our  wicked  hearts,  we 
need  much  more  than  the  strongest  external  evidence 


sro  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

to  give  it  operation  effectual  for  practice.  In  proof 
of  this,  consider  the  case  of  the  people  at  Mount 
Horeb.  Could  there  be  a  doubt  that  the  lawgiver 
was  able  to  save  or  destroy  ?  Yet  they  dare  him  to 
avenge  their  idolatry,  into  which  they  rush,  not  only 
against  the  express  command  of  Jehovah,  iDut  when 
the  trumpet  had  scarcely  ceased  to  sound  in  their 
ears.  Their  mad  detestable  conduct  is  imputed  to 
their  infidelity.  *'  How  long  will  this  people  pro- 
voke me  ?  How  long  will  it  be  ere  they  believe  me?" 
The  same  is  our  own  case.  We  transgress  the 
commandments ;  we  prefer  some  vile  pleasure  or 
gain  to  our  known  duty.  Whilst  we  allow  the 
scripture  is  of  God,  and  read  it  as  such,  till  we  read 
it  with  prayer,  imploring  God  to  make  his  own  word 
answer  the  excellent  ends  for  which  it  was  given, 
we  read  in  vain. 

If  there  be  any  to  whom  this  doctrine  appears  weak 
and  ungrateful,  they  must  follow  their  own  infidel 
delusions.  In  the  mean  time,  the  doctrine  itself  is 
of  the  utmost  importance ;  for,  once  take  away  the 
influence  of  the  Holy  S[)irit  from  the  members  of  the 
church,  and  the  gospel  of  Christ  will  for  ever  be  no 
more  than  a  sublime  speculation,  as  ineffcctuai  to 
reform  the  world  as  Pagan  philosophy.  The  Com- 
forter, the  S[)irit  of  truth,  is  the  inestimable  privi- 
lege of  Christ's  church ;  therefore,  before  we  read 
the  Bible,  we  must  implore  his  light  and  teaching. 

A  second  rule  we  must  always  observe,  is  to  rtad 
but  a  small  portion  at  one  time,  except  it  be  in  the 
historical  parts  of  the  Bible.  It  is  too  common  for 
persons  who  have  the  character  of  being  very  de- 
vout, to  set  themselves  a  .quantity  to  read  every 
day,  two  or  three  cha]:jters,  which  they  do  in  haste, 
with  little  or  no  meditatioii — consequently  receive 
hurt  instead  of  benefit,  and  provoke  God,  (whilst 
they  fancy  they  are  doing  liieir  duty),  by  shewing 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  3^1 

Such  contempt  to  the  great  things  of  his  law,  as  if 
they  might  read  them  with  no  more  attention  than  a 
song  deserves.* 

VVe  must  by  no  means  content  ourselves  with 
having  the  words  of  God  b^^fore  your  eyes,  but  must 
pjnder  on  their  weighty  sense,  and  labour  to  fix 
their  import  deep,  till  the  spirit  of  the  Bible  is  trans- 
fused into  our  minds. 

By  this  wa\ ,  I  allow,  we  shall  make  but  a  slow 
progress  m  going  through  the  principal  parts  of  this 
hiestimable  voiune,  compared  with  those  who  can 
read  several  chijpu  rs  in  one  day.  But  we  shall  re- 
ceive ample  reward  for  our  pains,  because  when  we 
use  much  recolKction  and  meditation,  upon  taking 
God's  word  into  our  hards,  and  solemnly  place  our- 
selves, as  it  were,  at  the  feet  of  Jesus  for  instruction^ 
we  shall  find  the  meaning  of  it  beautifully  unfolding, 
and  the  knowledge  which  we  gain  in  this  manner 
will  always  be  attended  w^ith  atransf  rming  efficacy. 
It  will  also  remain  with  us,  and  be  our  own  for  use 
at  all  times,  whilst  our  hasty  readings  leave  no  trace 
behind  them,  and  even  the  explanations  of  commen- 
tators,  however  they  may  seem  to  instruct,  are  for- 
gotten very  soon,   in  comparison  with  what  has  root 

*  This  shocking  way  of  reading  the  Bible  often  renders  it 
contemptible  in  the  judgement  of  young  people,  and  no  wonder. 
Some  superstitious  female  devotees,  ail  alive  to  the  pomps 
and  vanities  of  the  vi^orld,  yet  will  have  their  daughters  read 
to  them  the  psalms  and  lessons  for  the  day.  Accordingly,  with- 
out a  single  pause,  or  one  desire  to  know  the  meaning  of  the 
words,  they  are  hurried  over,  while  eager  expectation  of 
amusement  immediately  to  succeed,  and  the  pride  of  dress, 
Benders  even  this  despicable  offering  an  irksome  task  indeed. 

I  would  therefore  entreat  parents,  if  they  mean  to  honour 
God,  or  do  any  good  to  their  children,  to  gUcird  against  such 
irreverent  treatment  of  the  book  they  believe  is  from  Heaven, 
or  not  to  read  it  at  all,  which  of  two  evils  will  certainly  be  the 
least. 


372  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

in  ourselves,  from  a  devout  perusal.  Notwithstand- 
ing, therefore,  sloth  and  natural  aversion  to  study 
spiritual  subjects  will  strongly  oppose  this  excellent 
method  of  reading  God's  word,  we  must  do  violence 
to  ourselves.  A  little  preseverance  will  soon  master 
all  the  difficulty,  and  we  shall  find  cause  to  say, 
"  The  law  of  the  Lord  is  more  precious  to  me  than 
thousands  of  gold  and  silver.  In  that  law  do  1  ex- 
ercise  myself  day  and  night." 

Nearly  allied  to  meditation  on  the  word  of  God  is 
examination  of  ourselves  by  it,  so  as  to  excite  corres- 
pondent impressions  on  our  minds,  and,  when  we 
find  them  not,  to  confess  the  poverty  and  misery 
of  our  condition.  For  instance,  when  the  character 
of  God  is  before  us,  in  those  passages  which  des- 
cribe his  infinite  power  and  glorious  holiness,  which 
the  host  of  Heaven  adores  ;  yet  more  tender  and  af- 
fectionate to  men  who  fear  him,  than  any  father  to  a 
son  that  serveth  him  ;  to  read  this  character  will 
never  affect  us,  all  admirable  as  it  is,  unless  we  pause 
and  ask  ourselves,  Do  we  behold  such  glory,  and 
such  excellency  in  the  Lord  God  Almighty  ?  Have 
w^e  such  a  sense  of  his  goodness,  as  makes  him  our 
exceeding  joy  ?  Do  we  cheerfully  trust  in  him  for 
all  we  want,  and  to  defend  us  against  all  our  ene- 
mies ?  When  we  read  the  scripture  representations 
of  the  glory,  office,  work  and  temper  of  the  Re- 
deemer, and  the  great  promises  made  to  all  vv  ho  be- 
lieve on  his  name,  little  v/ill  this  profit,  unless  we 
at  the  same  time  search  and  try  ourselves,  whether 
such  a  Saviour  appears  to  us  altogether  lovely  and 
absolutely  needful ;  the  chief  mercy  of  God,  and  the 
grandest  display  of  all  his  infinite  perfections  ?  Whe- 
ther we  commit  unto  him  our  immortal  souls,  with- 
out suspicion  or  fear  of  falling  under  his  protection, 
and  with  an  undivided  heart  serve  him,  as  our  sove- 
reign Lord  ? 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  373 

When  we  read  also  the  strong  assertions  in  the 
book  of  God,  of  our  natural  weakness,  blindness, 
love  of  sin,  and  total  depravity,  in  vain  we  shall  as- 
sent to  them,  because  found  there,  unless  we  trace 
each  of  these  as  they  have  broke  out  in  our  lives, 
and  in  some  symptoms  of  them  which  are  often  still 
felt  within. 

When  the  scripture  before  us  describes  the  self- 
denying  tempers  of  the  faithful  in  Christ,  their  de- 
liverance from  the  dominion  of  worldly  hopes  and 
fears,  their  unfeigned  love  to  God  and  man,  and 
their  abhorrence  of  all  evil ;  in  vain  we  read  of  these 
excellent  dispositions,  unless  we  prove  and  examine 
in  what  degree  such  an  excellent  change  has  taken 
place  in  our  hearts. 

Unless  we  read  all  scripture  with  this  self-appli- 
cation^ we  shall  do  just  enough  to  flatter  and  deceive 
ourselves,  as  if  we  were  something,  when  we  are 
nothing  ;  enough  to  make  us  fancy  we  pay  regard 
to  the  word  of  God,  when  in  fact  it  has  no  weight  to 
form  our  judgment,  govern  our  tempers,  or  deter- 
mine us  in  the  grand  object  of  our  pursuit. 

We  must  not  then  satisfy  ourselves  with  reading 
scripture,  but  read  it  like  men  who  are  certaia  this 
infallible  word  shall  absolutely  decide  our  condition; 
like  men  who  know,  he  only  is  blessed  whom  tiiat 
word  blesses,  and  he  cursed  whom  that  curses.  It 
is  both  our  duty  and  interest  so  devoutly  to  peruse 
scripture,  that  its  spirit  may  be  impressed  on  all  our 
sentiments,  breathe  in  all  our  desires,  and  live  in  our 
w^hole  conduct ;  convincing  all  around  us,  that  the 
word  of  the  Lord  is  pure,  converting  the  soul. 

PRAYER, 

Suited  to  the  Subject  of  the  preceding  Chapters. 

MERCIFUL  and  gracious  God.   alwa}  s  nigh  to 
^  hem  that  fear  thee,  and  the  deliverer  of  all  who  cry 


374  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

to  thee ;  give  us  to  know  our  great  guilt  and  weak- 
ness, our  blindness  and  depravity,  that  we  may  hun- 
ger and  thirst  after  righteousness,  pray  always,  and 
not  faint.      May  we  pray  in  faith,  assured  that  thy 
ear  hearkens  to  the  most  stam.neriug  toiigue,  and  to 
the  sighs  of  all  who  bewail   their  captivitv  to   sin. 
May  we  be  enabled  to  watch  the  various  v.-  rkings  of 
our  evil   nature,  to  know   our  peculiar  duties  aiid 
temptations ;  to  remember  our  daily  mercies,   and 
by  these  be  led  to  make   suitable   conussions,  sup- 
plications, and  thanksgivings  belbre  thee.      in>press 
upon  our  hearts,  O   Lord,  the   exauip'e  of  al-  rhy 
saints  now  in  glory,  and  of  thy  dem    Son,  our  only 
Saviour,  when  in  the  form  of  a  servant.     By  shtir 
diligence  and  great  earnestness  in  prayer,  may  we  be 
stirred  up  to  shake  off  all  sloth  and  {ukewarmnt^^s,  to 
tremble  at  the  thought  of  restraining   prayer  btfore 
thee,  or  neglecting  to  call  upon   th\  name.     Teach 
us  eilectually  that  the  prayer  of  faith  is  the  only  ap- 
pointed means  of  obtaining  blessings  for  the  soul,  and 
powTrto  have  a  conscience  void  of  offence  towards 
God  or  man.     And  in  all  our  addresses  to  thee,  may 
we  be  upright,  and  with  deep   humility  abase  our- 
selves in  thy  presence.     Dtliver  us,  O  God,  from 
provoking  thy   wrath,  b\  daring  to  approach   thee 
without  a  propitiation  for  sin,  and  the  advocate  for 
transgressors.     To  Jesus,   who  endured  the   cross, 
and  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession,  may  we  always 
look,  and  to  him   brmg  every   offering,  for  whose 
sake  alone,  and  at   whose  hands,  it  becomes  thee, 
O   Father,  to  receive  our  worship.     In  all  our  re- 
quests may  w^e  have  access  to  thee  with  confidence, 
Ihrouo^h  Jesus  Christ  the  Lord,  by  the  influence  of 
the  Hoh  Ghost. 

O  God,  fill  us  with  faith  in  the  precious  promises 
thou  hast  made  to  all  who  call  upon  thee;  faith  in 
the  name  and  power  of  Christ,  engaged  in  behalf  of 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN,  373 

all  who  come  to  thee  by  him,  that  we  may  esteem, 
prayer  our  highest  privilege,  and  be  more  and  more 
fervent  and  diligent  in  that  duty,  till  all  our  prayers 
are  completely  answered  in  our  everlasting  salvation. 
Grant  these  our  requests  for  Christ's  sake,  out 
great  and  merciful  High-priest,  our  only  Mediator 
and  Redeemer.     Ameti. 


SUNDAY  L, 

CHAP.  L. 


The  Pleasures  peculiar  to  Believers  in  the  Lord  Jesus 

Christ. 


IT  is  too  general  an  opinion,  that  men  can  never  be 
at  present  so  happy,  if  they  entirely  submit  to  the 
government  of  God,  as  by  taking  some  forbidden 
self-indulgence ;  that  if  we  are  to  be  wholly  at  the 
will  of  our  Redeemer,  all  thoughts  of  pleasure  must 
be  given  up,  and  we  pass  our  time  like  superstitious 
recluses,  in  moping  melancholy,  or  at  least  under 
very  irksome  restraints. 

This  falsehood  is  full  of  impiety,  and  hurtful  to  a 
great  degree.  Full  of  impiety,  for  it  blasphemes  the 
life  of  faith  and  the  service  of  God,  as  not  to  be  en- 
dured, but  in  view  of  some  future  reward,  or 
through  fear  of  the  wrath  to  come  ;  though,  in  point 
of  superior  enjoyment,  the  life  of  faith  and  the  service 
of  God,  have  the  promise  of  this  world,  as  well  as  of 
heaven.  The  slander  is  also  hurtful  to  the  last  de- 
gree, because,  if  men  imagine  Christian  obedience 
uncomfortable,  violent  love  of  pleasure,  joined  with 

Z  2 


ar^  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

a  flint  belief  of  eternity,  will  certainly  lead  them  to 
take  part  in  the  voluptuousness  at  hand,  risking 
any  lobS  they  mav  sustain  beyond  the  grave. 

The  system,  therefore,  of  doctrinal  and  practical 
Christianity,  contained  in  this  volume,  cannot  more 
properly  conclude  than  with  a  faithful  account  of  the 
high  pleasures  peculiar  to  real  Christians  ;  and  with 
unanswerable  proofs  that  these  pleasures  are  rational, 
certain  to  be  enjoyed,  and  necessary  to  produce  and 
secure  Christian  obedience. 

From  hence  it  will  appear  clear  to  demonstration, 
that  the  obedient  children  of  God,  so  often  pitied  as 
miserable  in  their  self  denial,  and  on  account  of  the 
strictness  of  their  life  which  separates  them  from  the 
licentious  vvorld,  do  in  fact  know  more  pleasure  than 
any  people  upon  earth. 

The  first  source  of  pleasure  peculiar  to  them  is  their 
excellent  knowledge.  God  the  father,  in  his  ado- 
rable perfections,  in  his  works  and  word,  in  the  re- 
demption he  hath  provided,  and  the  various  blessings 
he  hath  promised :  God  the  Son,  in  his  original 
glory  and  marvellous  humiliation,  in  all  the  parts 
and  benevolent  purposes  of  his  mediation:  God  the 
Holy  Ghost,  in  his  miraculous  gtfts  of  old,  his  per- 
petual influences  and  consolations,  with  all  the  reali- 
ties of  the  eternal  world,  are  pleasing  subjects  of 
meditation  to  a  true  believer. 

The  whole  herd  of  nominal  Christians,  it  is  true, 
may  hear  the  sound  of  these  great  things,  and  per- 
haps profess  some  belief  of  their  reality.  But  wed- 
ded to  objects  of  sense,  they  can  find  no  heart  to 
take  an  exact  survey  of  them  ;  wherefore,  seeing 
they  see,  and  do  not  perceive,  and  hearing  they  hear, 
and  do  not  understand.  On  the  contrary,  believers 
attain  a  real  knowledge  of  the  excellency  of  scripture 
truths,  which  is  lively,  penetrating  the  soul,  and  of 
course  delightful.     For  who  can  question  the  plea- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  37/ 

sures  of  science,  when  thousands  toil  for  no  other 
reward  ?  The  discovery  of  truth  charms,  though  it 
be  in  objects  of  sense,  which  have  relation  only  to 
time,  without  any  power  to  give  the  dispositions 
essential  to  peace  of  mind.  Is  such  knowledge  plea- 
sant ?  How  much  more  a  discovery  of  truths  which, 
beside  their  novelty,  have  a  grandeur  even  to  fill 
the  soul  with  admiration ;  a  grandeur  no  sooner  ap- 
prehended, than  they  necessarily  excite  the  most 
pleasing  ideas  ! — Before,  they  were  either  despised  or 
suspected,  or  blindly  credited  from  force  of  educa- 
tion. Now,  they  act  like  themselves;  they  inpires 
new  resolutions  ;  they  kindle  ardent  desires  ;  they  ex- 
cite abdndant  hoj)e.  Believers  are  brought  by  their 
spiritual  knowledge  into  a  new  and  glorious  world, 
where  objects  interesting  beyond  measure,  al  tend* 
ing  to  their  honour  and  exaltation,  surround  them  : 
and  in  proof  of  the  pleasure  they  receive  from  this 
knowledge,  the  change  from  ni,2:ht  to  day  is  chosen 
b\  the  Holy  Ghost  to  express  their  joy,  on  bt  ing 
translated  into  the  kingdom  of  God's  dear  Son.  Ye 
were  sometimes  darkness,  but  now  are  ye  light  in  the 
the  Lord,  Ephes.  v.  For  God  who  commanded  the 
light  to  shine  out  of  darkness,  has  shined  in  our 
hearts,  to  give  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glorv 
of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ,  2  Cor.  iv. 

Besides,  the  pleasure  believers  only  from  their 
Jirst  acquaintance  with  scripture  truths,  increases  as 
they  advance.  There  is  a  very  sensible  progress  in 
di  ine,  no  less  than  human  science.  At  first  a  faint 
and  confused  view  of  the  gospel,  afterwards  a  clear 
perception  of  its  various  uses  and  matchles  excellence 
is  obtained.  At  first  they  receive  the  truth  with  he- 
sitation, afterwards  they  come  to  a  full  assurance  of 
understanding  and  hope,  and  comprehend  the  breadth 
and  length,  and  height  and  depth,  of  what  before  was 
superficially  known.     Such  progress  is  inseparable 


378  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

from  perseverance  in  the  faith  of  Christ,  never  fail- 
ing to  prove  a  spring  of  fresh  pleasures. 

This  knowledge  is  in  a  peculiar  degree  pleasant, 
from  the  solid  benefit  it  confers.  All  other  objtrcts 
which  can  engage  the  mind  leave  men,  after  the 
highest  degrees  of  success  in  their  pursuit,  to  feel 
wants  unsatisfied,  passions  unsubdued,  and  various 
evils  to  which  they  are  exposed.  Their  knowledge 
cannot  support,  much  less  profit  them,  when  they 
are  leaving  the  present  scene.  They  must  die  even 
as  others  in  the  dark,  not  knowing  what  their  future 
existence  is  to  be.  This  is  the  necessary  condition 
even  of  those  who  excel  most  in  human  science. 
But  real  Christians  receive,  from  their  knowledge  of 
Chi  ist,  contentment  in  every  condition,  victory  over 
inordinate  affections,  a  shield  against  all  assaults,  and 
a  supernatural  firmness  of  mind  to  bear  up  in  the 
hour  of  distress,  and  look  out  for  eternal  glory  to 
begin,  soon  as  this  mortal  life  is  ended. 

Knowledge  thus  supremely  excellent  enriches,  in 
different  degrees,  all  real  believers  hi  Christ  Jesus. 
The  poorest  and  lowest  of  the  people  (let  not  the 
great  and  learned  take  offtnce)  are  not  one  single 
degree  farther  removed  from  these  incomparable 
benefits,  than  men  of  parts  and  education.  It  is  God 
onlv  who  teaches  this  knowledge,  and  every  human 
praving  soul  that  seeks,  is  equally  sure  to  find  it. 
The  pure  delight  flowing  from  this  divine  knowledge 
is  at  once  emphatically  affirmed,  and  powerfully  re- 
commended. "  Happy  is  the  man  that  findeth  wis- 
dom, and  the  man  that  getteth  understanding.  For 
the  merchandize  of  it  is  better  than  the  merchandize 
of  silver,  and  the  gain  thereof  than  fine  gold.  Her 
ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness,  and  all  her  paths  are 
peace.  She  is  a  tree  of  life  to  them  that  lay  hold  upon, 
her,  and  happy  is  every  one  that  retaineth  her. 

Who  can  consider  the  nature  of  scripture  trutho 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  379 

or  believe  these  divine  assertions,  and  not  allow  that 
believers  in  Christ  Jesus  have  more  pleasure  than 
any  people  upon  earth  ? 

But  knowledge  of  the  mysteries  of  the  kingdom 
of  God  is  aluays  joined  with  his  peace,  with  the 
privilege  and  spirit  of  adoption. 

No  sooner  do  men  truly  depend,  through  know- 
ledge of  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord,  upon  his  sacrifice 
and  mediation,  than  the\'  have  the  promise  and  oath 
of  God,  that  there  is  no  condemnation  to  them.  The 
prophets,  the  apostles,  and  the  Redeemer,  continually 
afiirm  this.  In  proportion  as  they  believe  the  truth, 
their  conscience  is  rationally  appeased,  and  from  a 
sharp  accuser  becomes  an  encouraging  friend.  It 
now  no  longer  upbraids  them  with  their  folly,  but 
commends  their  wisdom  in  fleeing  to  the  refuge 
which  God  hath  provided ;  no  longer  haunts  them 
with  fears  of  approaching  judgment,  but  registers  and 
attests  their  cordial  recL  ption  of  the  atonement.  They 
have  now  the  answer  of  a  good  conscience  towards 
God,  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  from  the  dead.  In 
this  one  fact  they  see  the  indictment  which  was 
against  them,  which  was  contrary  to  them,  taken  out 
of  the  way,  and  they  have  boldness  to  enter  into  the 
holiest  through  the  blood  of  Jesus. 

The  superior  joy  which  such  persons  feel  in  their 
gracious  acceptance  with  God,  no  one  can  question, 
who  knows  what  diiferent  ideas  true  Christians  con- 
ceive from  the  rest  of  mankind,  both  of  his  hoHness 
and  the  desert  of  their  own  offences.  The  only 
reason  why  pardon  of  sin  is  not  universally  coveted 
more  than  beauty,  wealth,  or  honour,  is,  because 
men  are  generally  full  of  presumption  and  infidelity. 
But  suppose  your  guilt  was  now  placed  before  you 
in  its  true  point  of  light,  so  that,  wherever  you  went 
or  whatever  you  were  doing,  this  poignant  awful 
thought  forced  itself  upon  your  mind,    '*  I  have 


J80  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

been  an  enemy  to  God,  for  I  have  in  my  practice  de- 
nied his  government,  and  1  have  robbed  him  of  his 
glory.  1  have  abused  this  goodness,  wearied  his 
patience,  and  provoked  his  justice  to  shut  me  out 
of  heaven  and  his  favour ;  what  must  1  do  to  be 
saved  ?" 

Suppose,  in  this  distress,  your  understanding  was 
enlightened,  and  your  soul  brought  to  rely  upon  God, 
manifest  in  the  flesh,  on  purpose  to  ^eek  and  save 
those  who  were  lost  by  sin,  as  you  now  with  grief 
perceive  yourself;  can  you  conceive  a  joy  equal  to 
a  change  from  such  fears  to  a  good  hope  ?  Can  you 
imagine  a  more  pleasing  alteration  of  circumstances, 
than  to  have  grace,  mercy,  and  peace  from  God  the 
Father,  and  from  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  succeed  the 
black  clouds  that  were  every  moment  threatening  to 
burst  over  your  head?  Though  the  blessing  be  pure- 
ly spiritual,  and  therefore  set  at  nought  by  the  mul- 
titude, who  never  knew  pain  for  their  sins ;  yet  to 
you  it  must  prove  a  spring  of  joy,  as  much  be\ond 
temporal  blessings  as  the  salvation  of  the  soul  is 
more  desirable  to  all  who  know  its  worth,  than  any 
fading  good  below,  however  useful  in  its  place. 

A  second  blessing,  joined  always  with  the  know- 
ledge of  Christ,  is  the  privilege  of  adoption  into  the 
family  of  God.  To  give  some  just  idea  of  the  plea- 
sure derives  from  thence,  we  must  explain  the  nature 
of  adoption,  as  it  anciently  obtained.  It  was  cus- 
tomary, especially  in  the  states  of  Greece  and  Rome, 
for  a  man  of  wealth,  in  default  of  issue  fron>  his  own 
body,  to  make  choice  of  some  person,  upon  whom 
he  put  his  own  name,  proclaiming  him  his  heir,  and 
requiring  him  to  relinquish  his  own  relations,  and 
never  return  to  his  own  family.  In  this  act  there 
was  an  imitation  of  nature,  by  which  the  afflictive 
failure  of  offspring  from  themselves  was  supplied  by 
feomething  as  much  like  a  child  of  their  own  as  pos* 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  581 

sible.  The  person  thus  adopted  was  by  law  entided 
to  the  inheritance  upon  the  decease  of  his  adopter ; 
and,  however  void  of  the  least  title  to  such  a  benefit 
before,  was  now  invested  with  the  same  privilege, 
as  if  he  had  be  en  born  the  son  of  his  benefactor. 

Suppose  this  act  of  adoption  taking  place  in  fa- 
vour of  some  desolate  orphan,  how  conspicuous 
would  be  his  exaltation  !  How  exceedingly  pleasing 
the  change  of  his  condition  !  In  the  judgment  of  the 
world,  how  happy  the  object  of  such  a  prosperous 
providence ! 

But  worse  is  our  natural  state  than  that  of  a  des- 
titute orphan.  The  Redeemer  affirms,  that  we  are 
wretched,  and  miserable,  and  poor,  and  blind,  and 
naked,  till  our  relation  to  him  by  living  faith  at  once 
enriches  us  with  all  spiritual  blessings.  If  this  be  a 
hard  saying,  and  enrages  the  world,  all  believers  in 
Christ  acknowledge  such  was  their  own  case,  and  see 
their  own  picture  in  it.  In  this  deplorable  condition, 
they  heard,  understood,  and  believed  the  record  God 
has  given — that  he  sent  his  own  Son,  made  of  a  wo- 
man, made  under  the  law,  to  redeem  them  that 
were  under  the  law,  that  they  might  receive  the  adop- 
tion of  sons,  be  fellow  citizens  with  the  saints,  and 
of  the  household  of  God  :  "  For  to  as  many  as  re- 
ceived him,  to  them  gave  he  power,  or  privilege, 
to  become  the  Sons  of  God." 

Have  not  persons,  who  receive  so  great  a  gift,  plea-- 
sure  above  ail  men  in  the  wotld  ?  Have  they  not 
cause  to  cry  out,  in  joyful  admiration,  "  Bt  hold 
what  manner  of  love  the  Father  hath  bestowed  upon 
us,  that  we  should  be  called  the  sons  of  God ! "  What 
an  height  of  honour,  to  be  adopted  into  a  relation 
with  himself,  which  makes  them  rich  to  all  eternity  ! 
"  For  all  things,  saith  the  Lord,  [speaking  by  his 
apostle  to  true  believers,]  are  yours,  whether  Puul, 
or  Apollos,  or  Cephas ;  ail  means,  ordinances,  and 


382  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

ministers,  for  your  spiritual,  good;  or  the  world,  all 
things  in  it,  as  far  as  they  can  be  of  any  real  service  ; 
or  hfe,  as  long  as  its  continuance  can  be  a  favour, 
and,  when  it  ceases,  death  shall  be  gain — things  pre- 
sent, and  things  to  come,  all  temporal  and  eternal 
mercies  are  yours,  and  ye  are  Christ's  and  Christ  is 
God's." 

What  an  inheritance  is  this  !  Who  can  know  it  is 
his  own  by  the  free  gift  of  God,  through  the  redemp- 
tion that  is  in  Jesus  Christ,  and  not  rejoice  ? 

This  joy  is  inspired  and  supported  by  the  spirit  of 
adoption^  connected  both  in  the  new  covenant  and 
in  the  hearts  of  believers  with  the  privilege  of  adop- 
tion. We  are  fallen  to  a  great  distance  from  God^ 
which  is  increased  by  our  wilful  offences  against  him, 
of  which  our  consciences  accuse  us.  But  unpro- 
voked aggressors  can  hardly  ever  believe  the  party 
they  have  greatly  injured  does  fully  forgive  them. 
So,  after  our  most  unreasonable  and  multiplied 
transgressions,  v/e  are  naturally  in  pain  about  the  in- 
tentions of  our  Maker  concerning  us.  This  dis- 
trust aggravates  our  misery,  and  prevents  our  receiv- 
ing  consolation  from  above,  when  most  we  need  it. 
Hence,  men  under  their  distress,  instead  of  fleeing 
to  God  in  aflaance  and  love  as  a  tender  Father,  ap- 
proach  him,  compelled  by  their  necessity,  with  a 
faultering  tongue  and  trembling  heart.  Such  is  the 
gloomy  condition  of  the  multitude  respecting  God, 
as  daily  observation  proves.  Did  they  trust  in  him 
as  their  father  and  friend,  they  would  not,  as  they 
do,  sink  and  be  dismayed  under  their  distresses,  or 
be  unwilling  to  think  of  him,  and  call  on  his  name. 
The  case  is  happily  the  reverse  with  real  believers. 
The  Holy  Ghost  describes  the  state  of  their  minds 
in  these  words :  ''Ye  have  not  received  again  the 
spirit  of  bondage  to  fear,  but  ye  have  received  the 
spirit  of  adoption,  whereby  w^e  cry,  Abba,  Father  ; 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  383 

the  Spirit  itself  beareth  witness  with  our  spirit,  that 
we  are  the  children  of  God."     They  look  up  to  him 
with  the  sweet  assurance  children  have  in  their  affec- 
tionate parents — Not  intimidated  by  infinite  Majesty 
or  consciousness  of  guilt,  as  if  it  should  be  avenged 
upon  them;  not  in  darkness  about  the  intentions  of 
God  towards  them,  but  assured  by  his  own  promise, 
ratified  to  them  by  his  Spirit,  that  he  is  their  God.  ar.d 
they  his  people  :  or,  if  suspicions  of  his  love  towards 
them  begin  to  rise,  they  still  exercise  the  spirit  of 
adoption  ;  for  with  holy  shame  they  lament  their  un- 
belief, they  make  known  to  him  all  their  wants,  and 
wait  in  humility  till  he  sees  fit  to  help  and  comfort 

them. 

Ransack  now  all  the  boasted  sources  of  gratifica- 
tion in  the  world.  I  defy  you  to  produce  a  pleasure 
arising  from  thtm  which  can  stand  in  competition 
with  an  heart  free  from  every  other  care  than  that  of 
serving  him  in  our  station,  knowing  he  is  our  great 
and  ail-sufficient  friend.  The  calm  of  mind,  the 
sunshine,  the  entire  complacency  in  God  which  the 
spirit  of  adoption  creates,  is  called  the  kingdom  of 
God  within  ;  not  by  erring  men,  who  use  high  flights 
in  their  expressions,  but  by  the  Saviour  himself— 
And  the  more  believers  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the 
love  and  knowledge  of  Christ,  the  more  they  are  sure 
to  enjoy  of  the  spirit  of  adoption  in  all  its  fruits. 

Another  peculiar  source  of  pleasure,  inseparable 
from  those  already  named,  is  the  union  of  excel- 
lent tempers  formed  in  true  Christians  by  the  Holy 
Ghost.  In  their  repentance  (discouraging  as  repent- 
ance sounds)  pleasure  mingles  even  with  their  tears. 
They  love  to  abase  themselves  before  God,  giving 
due  honour  to  his  justice,  holiness,  and  majesty. 
They  have  a  pleasure  in  loathing  themselves  for 
their  past  ill  conduct  towards  him,  who  stands  not 
over  them  with  a  rod  of  iron  to  punish  their  trans- 


S84  COISirLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN, 

gressions,  but  holds  forth  the  sceptre  of  his  grace, 
that  they  may  approach  him,  and  live  for  ever. 
They  feel  pleasure  when  they  return  to  God,  and 
sav,  We  come  to  thee,  thou  art  the  Lord  whom  we 
will  serve.  What  by  the  basest  sacrilege  we  so  long 
alienated  from  thy  service,  we  now  restore.  Take 
all  the  powers  of  our  soul  and  body  :  possess  and 
employ  them  only  in  thy  work,  and  to  thy  glory. 
When  believers  disclaim  their  own  base  interests, 
without  intending  to  keep  any  thing  from  God, 
without  making  conditions,  or  halting  between  two 
opinions,  as  if  inclined  to  retract  the  surrender  of 
themselves,  there  is  always  much  pleasure  interwo- 
ven in  the  very  exercises  of  repentance  ;  but  much 
more  in  acts  of  faith  towards  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
These  are  lively  acknowledgments  of  the  highest 
obligations,  the  noblest  motives  to  love  and  obey, 
and  the  surest  foundation  for  joy  and  triumph. 
What  can  you  imagine  more  delightful,  than  for 
men,  who  see  themselves  sinful  and  miserable,  to 
hear  the  voice  of  the  Son  of  God,  who  says  he  will 
deliver  the  poor  and  needy  when  they  cry  unto  him, 
and  them  who  have  no  helper  ?  They  feel  their  own 
emptiness,  and  know  all  fulness  dwells  in  him  for 
their  relief.  Thev  bow  at  his  footstool,  readv  to 
perish,  and  he  receives  them  as  the  father  the  return- 
ing prodigal,  to  put  upon  them  the  best  robe.  They 
confess  their  desert  of  wrath,  and  he  most  gracious- 
ly grants  them  an  ample  pardon.  They  know,  with- 
out his  interposition,  they  must  have  been  condemn- 
ed to  hell,  and,  behold,  he  has  exalted  them  by  his 
own  life,  and  his  death  on  the  cross,  into  children 
of  God,  and  heirs  of  glory.  What,  like  these  views, 
can  excite  pleasing  sensations  in  the  mind  ? 

These,  reader,  are  permanent  sources  of  pleasure 
peculiar  to  real  believers  in  Christ.  From  hence, 
they  stand  quite  independent  of  the  world  for  their 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  S^5 

highest  satisfaction,  and  enjoy  much  comfort  in  spite 
of  all  disappointments  from  it. 

Besides,  there  are  seasons  in  which  it  pleases  God 
to  fill  them  with  joy  unspeakable,  and  full  of  glory. 
This  he  generally  does,  as  appears  from  experience, 
before  they  are  called  to  severe  trials,  or  when  they 
are  preparing  for  more  extensive  usefulness.  Then, 
in  a  remarkable  degree,  God  is  their  exceeding  joy. 
There  are  also  frequently  seasons  of  devotion,  both 
public  and  secret. 


-When  their  souls, 


Snatch 'd  by  the  Spirit's  power  from  their  cells 
Of  fleshly  thraldom,  feel  themselves  upborne 
On  plumes  of  ecstasy,  and  boldly  spring 
Up  to  the  porch  of  heaven. 

Consider  these  several  sources  of  pleasure  peculiar 
cO  true  believers,  and  see  their  amount. 

They  alone  possess  that  excellent  knowledge  which 
brings  with  it  the  peace  of  God,  and  the  blessings 
of  redemption.  They  alone  are  children  of  God  by 
adoption  and  grace,  and  have  the  heart  of  children 
towards  him.  They  alone  are  conscious  of  faith, 
repentance,  love,  hope,  and  every  grace,  in  which 
the  divine  image  consists.  They  alone  experience 
communion  with  God ;  and  sometimes  feel  transport, 
which  they  remember,  with  lively  thankfulness,  long 
after  the  particular  sensation  is  worn  off  from  which 
it  arose. 

*'Let  not  the  wise  man  then  glory  in  his  wisdom, 
neither  let  the  mighty  man  glory  in  his  might ;  let 
not  die  rich  man  glory  in  his  riches  ;  for  neither 
learning,  knowledge,  power,  or  wealth,  afford  the  best 
pleasures  we  can  enjoy :  but  let  him  that  glorieth, 
glory  in  this,"  that  he  undcrstandeth  or  knoxveth  Gody 
who,  though  heaven  is  his  throne,  doth  indeed  dwell 
with  the  faithful  on  earth,  and  in  their  behalf  exer- 
ciseth,  **  loving-kindness,  judgment,  and  righteous- 


38©  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAM. 

ness,  for  in  these  things  I  delight,  saith  the  Lord.'^' 
Jer.   xi 

Judge  not  then,  with  the  eye  of  flesh,  what  is  the 
best  source  of  present  pleasure  :  for  it  is  no  more 
perceptible  by  sense,  than  the  excellencies  of  the 
mind,  than  learning  and  genius.  And,  as  you  would 
justly  meet  with  universal  contempt  for  your  ig- 
norance, should  you  dare  to  say,  the  study  of  the 
fine  arts,  or  discoveries  in  nature,  can  give  no  plea- 
sure, because  beyond  the  comprehension  of  the  mul- 
titude, and  neither  showy  nor  palpable  like  the  joys 
of  the  sensual ;  so  be  assured,  you  blaspheme  the 
honour  of  God,  deny  his  truth,  and  bewray  your 
own  dark  state  to  all  the  excellent  of  the  earth,  when 
you  dare  question  the  present  pleasures  enjoyed 
bv  every  one  who  believes  in  Christ  to  the  saving  of 
his  soul. 

Pray,  therefore,  that  you  may  be  taught  of  God, 
and  darkness  be  made  light  before  you.  Then  will 
your  gross  mista:  es,  arising  from  a  depraved  heart, 
be  rectified.  Then  will  you  clearly  see,  that  real 
Christians  are  not  more  distinguished  by  purity  of 
life,  than  their  superior  pleasures.  Then  will  you 
understand,  that  (contrary  to  the  despicable  opinion 
the  world  holds  to  their  sober  singularity,  and  the 
im])ious  prejudices  which  every  where  prevail  against 
it)  the  eye  never  saw  any  thing  so  grand  and  beauti- 
ful amongst  the  objects  of  sense  ;  nor  did  the  ear  ever 
hear  any  thing  so  delightful  or  advantageous ;  nor, 
amongst  all  the  sciences,  did  the  mind  ever  compre- 
hend any  thing  so  adapted  to  give,  with  excellence, 
joy  to  the  soul,  as  the  things  which  God  hath  pre- 
pared for  them  that  love  him,  even  before  the  sons 
ol  men :  which  things  are  given  to  them  on  this  side 
the  grave,  as  an  earnest  of  what  they  shall  possess  for 
ever  in  glory. 

If  this  great  assertion  be  still  suspected,  and  full 
proof  demanded  that  such  joy  is  rational,  certain,  and 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  SS? 

necessary,   it  shall  be  produced  in   the   following 
chapter. 


SUNDAY  LI. 

CHAI>.  LI. 
On  the  Pleasures  peculiar  to  a  Christian. 


1  HERE  is  nothing  at  first  view,  perhaps,  more 
strange  than  the  strong  prejudices  in  men  professing 
Christianity,  against  the  joy  it  was  revealed  to  in- 
spire. That  the  doctrine  of  salvation  by  Christ  cru- 
cified only  should  offend,  is  no  wonder ;  for  our  high 
spirit  knows  not  how  to  brook  the  self-abasement  it 
demands  ;  nor,  anybetter,  his  pure  precepts,  from  the 
universal  self-denial  they  enjoin.  But  that  men,  call- 
ing themselves  Christians,  should  quarrel  even  with 
the  joy  their  own  religion  promises,  and  pour  dis- 
grace upon  it  as  at  variance  with  reason,  is  a  surpris- 
ing fact;  since,  upon  the  bare  report  of  such  pleasure 
and  joy,  one  would  conclude  our  natural  desire  of 
happiness  must  strongly  prompt  us  to  wish  it  were 
a  reality;  whilst  many  cutting  disappointments  from 
the  world  must  incline  us  to  think  it  reasonable  some 
friendly  sanctuary  should  be  provided  for  all  who 
love  the  Lord,  where  solid  joys  might  certainly  be 
found. 

But,  upon  examination,  we  shall  fully  detect  the 
ground  of  this  strange  prejudice  against  the  joys 
springing  from  the  faith  of  Christ.  For  were  they 
allowed  to  be  I'ealy  men  must  pass  for  counterfeits, 


388  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

who  are  strangers  to  them  by  their  own  confes'sion. 
They  must  be  forced  to  see  how  despicable  is  their 
religion,  which  consists  in  assenting  to  scripture- 
truths,  without  feeling  their  power ;  in  a  round  of 
duties,  without  spiritual  life,  or  in  being  honest, 
sober,  and  harmless,  without  any  more  delight  in 
God  than  infidels  know.  So  that  the  whole  charac= 
ter,  peace,  and  security  of  nominal  Christians,  in  their 
own  judgment,  are  at  stake.  Wherefore  they  are 
bribed  in  regard  to  their  ov/n  quiet,  to  cry  down,  as 
rank  enthusiasm,  those  joys  to  which  themselves  are 
strangers.  Besides,  the  spirit  which  lusteth  in  us  tq 
envy  cannot  endure  others  should  receive  tokens  of 
love  from  God,  which  we  ourselves  know  not. 

To  these  causes,  enforced  by  a  few  instances  per- 
haps of  real  delusion,  we  may  fairly  ascribe  that  gen- 
eral and  stubborn  prejudice  against  one  of  the  no- 
blest privileges  of  a  Christian,  joy  in  God. 

In  vindication,  therefore,  of  this  privilege,  I  shall 
prove  it  is  reasonable  to  conclude,  that  real  Christians 
mat/  experience,  from  the  sources  already  named, 
much  delight :  certain  it  is  they  do  and  necessary 
they  should. 

It  is  most  reasonable  to  conclude,  that  real  Chris- 
tians may  experience  much  delight,  because  God 
represents  himself  under  the  character  of  a  Father 
to  the  faithful  in  Christ  Jesus,  in  a  sense  which 
none  besides  themselves  can  lay  claim  to.  It  v/ould 
be  endless  to  cite  all  the  passages  which  assert  this 
important  distinction.  The  Redeemer,  in  the  strong- 
est terms  distinguishes  all  believers  from  the  rest  of 
mankind:  "  Whosoever  shall  do  the  will  of  my  Fa- 
they  [by  believing  in  and  obeying  me],  the  same  is 
my  brother,  and  sister,  and  mother.''  When  he  was 
going  to  heaven,  he  said  unto  the  representatives 
of  his  church  in  all  ages,  '*  I  ascend  to  my  Father, 
and  your  Father,  to  my  God,  and  your  God,'^    The 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  389 

same  distinction  is  made  by  the  apostle.  He  exhorts 
those  who  were  wavering,  whether  they  should  for- 
sake their  idolatrous  friends  and  relations,  to  em- 
brace the  gospel,  for  this  reason,  that  then  God 
**  w^ould  receive  them,  and  be  a  father  to  them,  and 
they  should  be  his  sons  and  daughters,"  2  Cor.  vi. 

As  God  then  stands  in  so  near  and  peculiar  a  re- 
lation to  the  faithful,  what  more  rational  than  to 
conclude,  his  love  for  them  far  surpasses  the  affection 
of  earthly  parents  towards  their  offspring  ?  But  what 
parent,  worthy  of  that  tender  name,  ever  refuses  to 
manifest  the  delight  he  takes  in  his  children,  as 
they  are  able  to  bear  such  kind  regard  ?  Or  docs 
not  study,  by  numerous  expressions  of  love,  to  ren- 
der their  state  of  subjection  a  pleasure  to  them  ? 
And  is  it  not  perfectly  reasonable  to  conclude,  that 
the  eternal  Father  may  as  sensibly  distinguish  be- 
tween believers  and  hypocrites,  as  we  do  between 
our  duteous  children,  who  want  encouragement,  and 
stubborn  ones,  who  must  be  kept  under  a  fronn ? 
That,  to  use  his  own  words,  his  secret  should  be 
with  them  that  fear  him,  and  he  should  bhew  them 
his  covenant ;  whilst  others  remain  at  a  distance 
from  him,  without  any  spiritual  light,  grovelling  in 
the  pleasures  of  sin  and  the  things  of  time,  which 
they  basely  prefer  to  God,  and  all  the  riches  of  his 
grace?  Certainly  this  is  a  most  rational  conclusion, 
especially  wlien  it  is  considered,  that,  through  the 
whole  Bible,  believers  are  declared  to  be  the  delip:ht 
and  glory  of  God. 

It  is  in  vain  to  object  against  this,  as  implying  too 
great  a  stoop  in  him,  and  making  men  of  too  great 
importance ;  because  the  scripture  account  of  the 
connexion  between  God  and  the  faithful  stronglv 
affirms  that  such  condescension  and  regard  is  paid 
to  them.  He,  therefore,  \\\\o  is  ready  upon  either 
of  thQse  presumptions  to  mock  at  the  mention  of 


S90  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

joy  in  God,  arising  from  the  near  and  dear  relation 
believers  bear  to  him,  despiseth  not  man,  but  his 
adorable  Creator,  who  promiseth  of  his  superabound- 
inp;  grace,  ''  I  will  dwell  in  them,  and  walk  in  them, 
and  I  will  be  their  God,  and  they  shall  be  my  peo- 
ple,'' 2  Cor.  vi. 

It  is  most  reasonable  to  conclude  believers  in  Christ 
may  experience  peculiar  delight,  because  they  seek 
all  their  joy  in  God  alone.  The  acquisition  of  riches 
will  not  satisfy  them,  nor  the  enjoyment  of  health, 
honour,  or  long  life.  ''  Lord,  say  they,  who  is  like 
unto  thee  ?  Lift  thou  up  the  light  of  thy  countenance 
upon  us.  This  will  put  more  joy  into  our  hearts 
than  the  increase  of  corn  and  wine."  And  is  it  en- 
thusiasm to  conclude,  that  God,  who  both  deserves 
and  stricdy  requires  such  supreme  affection,  should 
reward  every  one  who  pays  it  to  him*  ?  Or  that  when 
men  are  so  divinely  changed  as  to  prefer  the  favour 
of  God  infinitely  before  their  own  worldly  interest, 
and  every  sensual  gratification,  they  should  receive 
the  completion  of  this  gracious  and  ample  promise  ? 
*'I  love  them  that  love  me,  and  they  that  seek  me 
early  shall  find  me.  Riches  and  honour  are  with  me, 
yea,'  durable  riches  and  righteousness  ;  that  I  may 
cause  those  who  love  me  to  inherit  substance,  and  I 
will  fill  their  treasures,"  Prov.  viii.   17. 

Further,  we  may  reasonably  conclude  that  the  plea- 
sures believers  enjoy  are  high  and  peculiar,  when  we 
f^onsider  the  force  with  which  parental  love  always 
breaks  out  towards  children,  vvho,  zealous  for  the 
lionour  and  rights  of  a  {either,  endure  bitter  persecu- 
tion on  that  account.  What  possible  demon jtra- 
lion  of  ailbctJon  is  then  withheld  ?  If  we,  therefore, 
(to  use  our  Lord's  argument)  being  evil,  know  how 
to  reward,  by  every  evidence  of  great  delight  in 
them,  our  excellent  children,  how  much  more  shall 
Our  heavenly  Father  give  tokens  of  his  delight  in 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  j&i 

them  who  suffer  for  zeal  in  his  cause,  and  love  of 
his  name  ? 

But  no  one  can  be  a  Christian,  according  to  the 
scripture  definition,  without  suflering  for  it.  Begin, 
whoever  thou  art,  by  thy  example  to  rebuke  not 
only  scandalous  vices,  but  all  the  shameful  hypoc- 
risy of  nominal  Christians  ;  and  thou  shalt  very  soon 
find  enough  to  try  thy  courage,  patience  and  fidelity. 
If  thou  art  poor,  the  loss  of  work  and  bread  to  cat 
shall  be  held  up  before  thee  by  the  ungodly,  to  de- 
t^r  thee  from  being  more  religious  than  they  like. 
If  thou  art  young,  and  darest  to  take  more  pains 
to  live  godly  than  those  about  thee  choose  to  take 
themselves,  thou  shalt  feel  a  domestic  persecution, 
which,  though  it  makes  little  noise,  is  very  grievous 
to  flesh  and  blood.  In  such  cases,  does  not  sound 
reason  justify  scripture  assertions,  teaching  us  to 
eonclude,  God  will  afford  some  counterbalance  to  all 
the  bitter  speeches  and  spiteful  usage  his  confessors 
experience  ?  "  That  he  will  enlighten  the  eyes  of 
their  understanding,  to  know  what  is  the  hope  of  his 
calling,  and  what  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  hh  inher- 
itance in  the  saints,  and  what  i:>  the  exceeding  great- 
ness of  his  power  towards  them  that  b^  lieve  ?"  Is  it 
weak  and  et^thusiasiic  to  conclude,  there  is  in  all  such 
eases  joy  imparted  from  the  Lord  to  fulfil  the  scrip- 
ture— ''  Thou  shalt  hide  them  in  the  secret  of  thy 
presence  from  the  pride  of  men  :  thou  shalt  keep 
them  secretly  in  a  pavilion  from  the  strife  of  tongues?" 
Psal.  xxxi  19.  The  Almighty  is  represented  in 
this  passage  as  giving  his  faiihful  people  so  lively  a 
sense  of  his  love  and  protection  as  keeps  them 
from  growii>g  weary  in  his  service,  or  from  any 
inclination  to  be  less  bold  for  the  truth.  By  his 
secret  consolations  they  pass  their  time,  as  in  a  pa- 
vilion pitched  in  a  delightful  garden,    though  the 

3  B 


,192  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

strife  of  opposing  or  reviling  tongues  be  hearij 
iironnd  them. 

Which  position  then  is  most  reasonable  and  con- 
sonant to  the  scripture  character  of  God,  to  assert 
ihat  he  does  or  does  not  manifest  his  love  in  a  pe- 
culiar degree  to  those  who  love  him  ?  Allowing  the 
promises  in  the  Bible  are  truth,  judge,  who  are  ab- 
surd and  grossly  mistaken  ;  nominal  Christians,  posi- 
tive against  any  communications  of  joy  ;  or  real  be- 
lievers, who  maintain,  that  a  life  of  self-denial  obe- 
dience in  the  service  of  God  abouiids  with  this  spi- 
ritual blessing. 

To  conclude  this  point,  it  is  highly  reasonable 
to  suppose  the  faithful  in  Christ  have  joy  peculiar  to 
themselves,  because  their  etemal  state  will  differ  in- 
finitely from  what  awaits  the  world  of  the  ungodly. 
The  latter,  hardened,  alas  !  even  to  the  hour  of  death, 
will  then  meet  an  incensed  Judge  ;  remain  in  all 
their  filthiness,  and  feel  the  misery  of  endless  pun- 
ishment. The  former  leave  the  body  to  enter,  wc 
are  assured,  into  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  I  would 
ask,  then,  does  not  reason  lead  us  to  conclude  some 
anticipation  of  this  bliss  is  enjr>yed  before  its  ful- 
ness ?  And  that  the  blessed  heirs  of  salvation,  who 
are  so  soon  to  inherit  the  promises  in  their  utmost 
completion,  should  have  delightful  acquaintance 
with  their  meaning  here,  and  joy  in  their  God,  the 
same  iu  kind  as  that  reserved  for  them  in  heaven  ? 
That  those  whom  the  Kii)g  of  kings  will  rewaad  with 
eternal  glory,  in  the  presence  of  men  and  angels^ 
should  rejoice  in  the  blessed  hope,  be  sealed  of  him, 
and  have  the  earnest  of  his  Spirit  in  their  hearts  ?  Is 
not  this  much  more  reasonable  than  to  suppose  that 
men,  who  in  one  day  ma}  be  as  widely  distant  from 
each  other  as  heaven  and  hell,  shouid  be  alike  des- 
titute of  any  spiritual  joy  ;  should  both  be  left  to  go 
on  till  the  hour  ot  final  separation,  one  no  more  thaa 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN,  393^ 

%he  other  experiencing  the  light  of  God's  counte- 
nance ?  Certainly  no  man  can  name  a  greater  ab- 
surdity than  this  supposition. 

What  has  been  offlred  proves  sufficiently,  I  trust, 
it  is  no  mark  of  a  weak  enthusiastic  mind  to  con- 
clude the  niembtrs  of  Christ  have  peculiar  and 
great  delight,  which,  though  often  decrucl  as  de*. 
lu-io  ;,  appears,  upon  due  examination,  perfectly  ra- 
tionaL 

Tiuis  hr  I  have  argued  only  in  favour  of  the  rea- 
S07iableness  of  concluding  real  Christians  maij  possess 
jo)  in  God.  But  I  advance  farther,  and  throve,  bv 
the  highest  authority,  that  they  actually  do — because 
the  prophets  foretel,  the  Redeemer  promibcs,  and 
the  apostles  record,  the  admirable  joy  peculiar  to  the 
church  of  Christ. 

The  prophets  foretel  it  in  terms  as  strong  and  clear 
as  either  the  holiness  of  Christians,  or  the  glory  of 
their  Redeemer.  In  the  89th  Psalm,  the  whole  body 
of  the  faithful  are  described  in  the  following  words  : 
"Blessed  is  the  people  who  know  the  joyful  sound. 
They  shall  walk,  O  Lord,  in  the  light  of  thy  coun- 
tenance. In  thy  name  shall  they  rejoice  all  the  day, 
and  in  thy  righteousness  shall  they  be  exalted  :  for 
thou  art  the  glory  of  their  strength,  and  in  thy  favour 
their  horn  shall  be  exalted.  For  the  Lord  is  our  de- 
fence, the  ho!y  One  of  Israel  is  our  king."  What 
stronger  colours  could  be  used  to  paint  a  life,  which 
was  one  scene  of  pleasure  ?  For  the  abounding  joy 
believers  in  Christ  p  ssess  from  the  knowled^"  of 
redemp-ion  by  him  as  revealed  in  the  everlasting 
gospel,  here  called  the  joyful  sotincl  is  the  principal 
figure  which  in  this  painting  strikes  every  eye. 

Under  the  direction  of  the  same  unerring  Spirit, 
Isaiah  describes  the  Christian  church  ""  as  joying  be- 
fore God  according  to  tht  joy  in  harvest,  and  as  men 
rejoice  when  they  divide  the  spoil ;  [whilst  the  sole 


394  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

cause  of  their  exulation  is,  that]  unto  us  a  child  is 
born,  unto  us  a  son  is  given,  and  his  name  shall  be 
called  Wonderful,  Counsellor,  the  Mij^hty  God,  the 
the  Everlasting  Fadier,  the  Prince  of  Peace,"  Isaiah 
ix.  6. 

In  another  passage,  he  describes  the  church  of 
Christ  under  the  image  of  persons  in»  ited  by  the 
Lovd  of  Hosts  to  a  great  festivity,  where  pleasures 
crow  d  to  regale  each  appetite,  and  every  thing  which 
can  exhilarate  is  poured  forth  in  great  abundance, 
Isaiah  xxv.  In  a  third  passage,  he  describes  them 
returning  to  Sion,  or  heaven,  with  songs  and  ever- 
lasting joy  upon  their  heads.  Each  of  these  passa- 
ges (with  avast  number  more  that  might  be  produ- 
ced) wholly  relite  to  the  temper  of  mind  by  which 
the  church  of  Christ  should  be  distinguished.  This 
is  ahvays  mentioned  as  the  proper  state  of  those  hap- 
py souls  to  whom  it  is  given  to  believe  in  Christ, 
But  does  the  picture  bear  the  least  resemblance  to 
the  persons  it  is  drawn  for,  unless  real  Christians  are 
a  people  much  acquainted  with  pleasure?  Between 
nominal  Christians,  who  have  no  more  joy  in  God 
than  a  Turk  or  Jew,  and  the  Christians,  described 
by  the  prophets,  there  is  no  likeness.  Yet  so  posi- 
tive are  the  prophets  in  affirnung  such  pleasure  shall 
be  enjoyed  in  the  church  of  Christ,  that  the  faithful- 
ness and  veracity  of  God  stand  engaged  to  make 
good  the  delightful  prediction.  And  unless  we  deny 
the  authority  of  the  prophetic  books,  we  must  allow 
Christians  certainly  possess  incomparable  joys. 

What  the  prophets  with  one  mouth  foretold,  the 
Redeemer  confirms  by  many  declarations  and  pro- 
mises. On  account  of  the  joy  his  gospel,  when 
understood  and  believed,  inspires — '*The  kingdom 
of  heaven,  says  he,  is  like  unto  a  treasure  hid  in  a 
held,  the  which,  when  a  man  hath  found,  he  hideth, 
arxdj  for  ioy  thereof,  goeth  and  seileth  all  that  he 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  4i95 

hath,  and  buyeth  that  field,"  Matthew  xiii.  44.     We 
know  how  much  the  news  of  an  estate  unexpectedly 
left  to  us  elevates   the  poor  heart  of  man.     In  the 
same  manner,  our  Lord  affirms,  a  clear  view  of  sal- 
vation by  him  affects  his  believing  people.   In  another 
place,  he  declares  that  the  immediate  effect  of  faith 
in  his  name  is  such  abundant  satisfaction  of  soul,  as 
^  extinguises  all   burning  desire  after  any  thing  be- 
low, and  causes  fresh  consoiations  to   spring  up  to 
an  overflowing  fulness,  till  ail  the   believer's  wants 
are  entirely  removed,  and  all  his  desires  completely 
satisfied  in  the  enjoyment  of  eternal  life.     *'  VVhoso- 
ever  drmketh  of  the  water  that  1  shall  give  him,  shall 
never  thirst,  but  the  water  that  I  shall  give  him  shall 
be  in  him  a  weil  of  water  springing  up  into  everlast- 
ing life,"  John  iv.    14      ''  Hv  that  believeth  on  me, 
as  the  scripture  hath  said,  (»ut  of  his  bclh  shall  flow 
rivers  of  living  water."     But  this  spake  J(  sus  of  the 
Spirit,   which  they  that   believe   on  him  should  re- 
ceive, John  vii.     How  could  the  joy  of  Christians 
be  more  strongly  described,  or  more  positively  af- 
firmed ?  And  this  enjov  ment  is  not  confined  to  some 
eminent  followers  of  Christ,  but  insured  as  the  com- 
mon privilege  of  all  who  drink  of  the  water  he  giv- 
eth,  of  every  one  who  believeth  on  his  name.     What 
Jesus  taught  the  woman  of  Samaria  at  one  time,  and 
the  vast  concourse  of  his  hearers  at  another,    res- 
pecting the  peace  and  joy  which  result  from  faith  in 
his  name,  under  the  figure  of  a  fountain,  and  rivers 
of  living  water,  he  literally  affirms  in  his  last  conver- 
sation with  his  apostles.  *'  He  that  haih  my  command- 
ments [understands,  recei\es,  and  embraces  them 
all,]  and  keepeth  them,  [not  only  extols,  but  will  not 
break  them,  whatever  he  may  lose  or  suffer  on  that 
account,]  he  it  is  that  loveth  me :  and  he  that  loveih 
me  shall  be  loved  of  my  Father,  and  I  will  love  him, 
and  manifest  myself  to  him,"     He  shall  not  only  be 


^n  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN, 

the  object  of  my  delight  and  love,  but  live  favoured 
with  discoveries  of  my  power,  grace,  and  faithful?  <ss. 
O'le  of  his  disciples,  clearly  understanding  the  Re- 
deemer meant  some  inestimable  favour,  which  they, 
and  not  the  world,  were  to  enjoy,  asks  him,  "  How 
is  it,  that  thou  wilt  maniftst  thyself  unto  us,  and  not 
unto  the  world  ?  Jesus  answered  and  said  unto  liim, 
If  any  man  love  me  he  will  keep  my  words,  and  my 
Father  will  love  him,and  we  will  come  unto  him,  and 
make  our  abode  with  him  ;"  not  leaving  him  as  one 
friend  does  another,  after  a  transient  visit,  but  as  an 
inhabitant,  giving,  by  our  presence,  light,  strength, 
comfort,  and  joy.  And  lest  it  should  be  tho>jght> 
as  manv  most  absurdly  pretend  to  believt ,  tiiat  Chris- 
tians in  every  age  avQ  not  so  fully  to  iiiherit  these 
promises,  as  the  very  persons  to  whom  ht  first  made 
them,  he  comprehends,  in  the  same  prevailing  pray- 
er which  he  made  for  the  apostks,  ''all  who  shouid 
ever  believe  in  him  throus^h  their  word.''  He  nuikes 
no  manner  of  difi'erence  or  distinction.  Wot  be  to 
those  who  do.  He  makes  one  and  the  same  rt- quest 
for  his  whole  church,  every  individual  b(  ic.nging  to 
it  being  equally  a  member  of  his  body-— He  prays, 
*'That  the  love  wherewith  tliou  hast  loved  me  ma}  be 
in  them,  and  1  in  them.*'     John  xvii  26. 

tLvery  thing  requested  for  the  church  of  Christ 
in  this  prayer,  and  every  feature  in  the  picture  which 
the  prophets  have  drawn  of  believers  in  his  name,  we 
see  in  those  who  first  received  the  faith  of  the  gospel. 
After  the  da}  of  Pentecost,  the  apostolic  church  is 
described  in  several  particulars.  And  their  state  of 
mind,  which  shewed  itself  indeed  in  their  actions,  is 
buliiciently  marked  out  by  two  words:  gladness,  or  ex- 
ultation, and  singleness  of  heart.  In  the  same  book  of 
the  Acts, after  mention  ot  Philip's  preaching  in  thecity 
of  Samaria,  it  is  remarked,  thert  was  great  joy  in  that 
city.     When  the  jailor,  into  whose  custody  St.  Paul 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  S9*9 

was  delivered,  had  once  heard  the  word  of  the  Lord, 
besides  the  actions  which  he  did  immediately  upon 
believing,  which  plainl}^  shewed  great  alacrity  of 
heart,  it  is  expressly  added,  that  he  rejoiced.  The 
same  account  is  given  of  the  Ethiopian  eunuch, 
**  As  soon  as  Philip  had  preached  Jesus  unto  him, 
he  was  baptized,  and  though  his  heaven-appointed 
guide  was  snatched  from  him,  yet  the  gospel  taking 
place  in  his  heart,  he  went  on  his  xvaij  (it  is  not  said 
reasoning,  or  deeply  mtduating  oniy,  but)  rejoicing. 
Indeed  we  have  reason  to  think  that  all  who  heard 
the  gospel  to  any  good  purpose,  heard  it  with  the 
same  sentiments  of  delight  and  joy.  They  behaved 
at  first  as  persons  quite  amazed  and  surprised  with 
the  grace  of  God.  Before  habit  or  improvement 
could  hiive  time  to  manifest  itself,  they  were  raised 
by  the  pure  joy  of  the  gospel  above  this  world,  and 
ready,  in  its  defence,  to  embrace  the  martyr's  stake. 

From  what  has  been  said,  it  appears  that  not  only 
the  prophets  foretold  the  faithful  in  Christ  should 
proclaim  the  incomparable  worth  of  his  gospel  by 
their  joy  in  God  ;  not  only  did  the  Redeemer  pro- 
mise his  peace  and  joy  to  his  disciples,  and  declare 
that  their  jo\  should  be  full ;  but  when  his  name  was 
first  preached,  the  genuine  effect  of  it,  in  every  place, 
was  gladness  of  heart.  You  must,  therefore',  either 
affirm,  that  the  christians  described  in  the  Bible,  and 
those  who  lived  when  the  gospel  was  first  preached, 
differ  in  species  from  all  who  live  now,  though  they 
si/icerely  profess  the  same  faith,  and  love  the  same 
Lord ,  or  you  must  grant  it  is  a  fact,  that  all  real 
Christians  have  joy  in  the  God  of  their  salvationv. 


400  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 


SUNDAY  LII. 

CHAP.   LII, 

The  Love  of  Christ  to  his  Church  in  all  Ages  the  same, 

W  E  have  already  proved  it  is  reasonable  to  con- 
clude, and  certain  from  the  testimony  of  Christ,  the 
prophets,  and  apostles,  that  peace  and  joy  in  God 
are  the  privilege  of  Christ's  church. 

It  is  urged,  to  invalidate  these  proofs,  that  perse- 
cution in  the  first  ages  of  Christianity  called  for  great 
manifestations  of  divine  love,  which  are  now  no  lon- 
ger to  be  expected  or  vouchsafed. 

As  this  mistake  is  become  very  general,  and  its 
influence  extremely  pernicious,  it  shall  receive  a  full 
refutation,  and  be  exposed  in  all  its  absurdity. 

Adopt  this  false  notion,  and  scripture  itself  must 
lose  its  value.  For  we  may  say  with  as  much  reason 
of  the  whole,  as  of  those  passages  which  have  been 
urged  above,  that  they  were  delivered  to  particular 
persons  on  particular  occasions.  Wherefore,  if  scrip- 
ture belongs  to  those  to  whom  it  was  first  addressed, 
in  a  sense  it  belongs  not  to  the  church  in  every  age; 
then  the  Bible,  instead  of  being  a  system  of  eternal 
truth,  and  an  invariable  rule  of  life,  equally  obliga- 
tory on  all  Christians,  will  dwindle  into  an  antiquat- 
ed obsolete  book.  It  will  absolutely  require  a  dis- 
crimination to  be  settled  between  the  scripture  de- 
signed for  the  comfort  and  joy  of  the  first  believers 
in  Christ,  and  what  those  live  in  after  ages  may 
claim:  just  as  some  Papist  divide  the  practical 
part  of  the  New  Testament  into  absolute  commands. 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  401 

which  belong  to  all,  and  counsels  of  perfection  given 
only  to  a  few. 

Besides,  this  notion  is  contrary  to  scripture.      St. 
Jolm  declares  the  end  for  which  he  labour  to  esta- 
blish Christianity  was  not  merely  the  belief  of  the 
miracles,  death,  and  resurrection  of  Christ,  but  that 
ye^  saith  he,  might  have  fellowship  with  us,  i.  e.  an 
equal  share  in  all  the  high  privileges,  holy  influences, 
and  divine  consolations  which  belong  to  that  one 
body  the  church,  of  which   Christ  himself,  full  of 
power  and  glory,  is  the  head.     But  we  flatly  contra- 
dict this  apostle,  when  we  affirm  there   is  any  differ- 
ence in  point  of  spiritual  privileges  between  even  the 
chosen  twelve,  and  all  who  have  obtained  like  pre- 
cious faith  with  them,  to  the  end  of  time- 
Further,  the  absurdity  of  this  popular  and  perni- 
cious mistake  is  no  less  gross  than  its  contradiction 
to   the  word  of  God  is  glaring.     For  have  not  all 
Christians  one  faith?     The  truth  which  sanctifies 
them  is  invariable.     Have  they  not  one  Spirit  to  re- 
present this  truth  to    the   mind,  and  make  it  effec- 
tual ?  Is  not  the  practice  of  duty  in  the  same  extent 
required?  the   same   sacrifice   of  vvorldly  interests? 
the  cutting  off"  the  right  hand,  and  plucking  out  the 
right  eye  ?  And  is  not  one  heaven  the  eternal  reward 
of  all  true   Christians  ?  As,   in  all  these  interesting 
points,  there   is  a  perfect  equality,  how  absurd  to 
make  an  immense  difference  in  the  matter  of  present 
peace  and  joy  from  the  influence  of  the  same  truth, 
the  same   hope,  and  the  same   Spirit  ?  This  is  the 
more  absurd,  because  the  word  of  God  teaches  us 
that  no  one  is  ever  disposed  to  apply  to  the  heavenly- 
physician  before  the  sickness  of  his  soul  compels  him, 
and  the  fear  of  eternal  death  ;    and  that  no  one  can 
be  saved  before  he  calls  for  mercy  on  the  Lord  as  a 
lost  sinner.     But  this  conviction  annihilates  all  dis- 
tance of  time,  all  difference  of  external  circumstances 

3q 


4Q2  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

between  the  contemporaries  of  Christ  and  his  ap^ 
posties,  and  succeeding  believers,  to  the  end  of  the 
world ;  because,  without  this  conviction  of  sin, 
though  Paul  was  preaching,  or  Jesus  himself  work- 
ing miracles  before  our  eyes,  his  salvation  must  be 
rejected ;  and  with  this  conviction  pressing  on  the 
mind,  the  record  God  has  given  of  his  Son  becomes 
inestimably  precious,  and  his  salvation  the  one  thing 
needful. 

Thus  absurd  is  the  notion  so  constantly  urged,  to 
evade  the  plainest  promises  of  great  peace  and  joy  to 
all  true  believers,  and  to  keep  those  easy  in  a  formal 
profession  of  Christianity,  who  experience  nothing 
of  its  excellent  power. 

We  must  add  the  evidence  of  daily  facts  to  the 
united  testimony  of  prophets,  apostles,  and  the  Savi- 
our, that  real  believers  in  his  name  have  joy  in  God. 
How  can  vve  otherwise  account  for  the  total  altera- 
tion of  choice  and  conduct  in  some  of  every  ranlc, 
age,  and  temper,  as  soon  as  they  truly  believe  in 
Christ?  All  these  with  one  voice  avow  they  never 
knew  true  happiness  before  they  knew  the  truth. 
Whatever  the  pleasures  of  sin  were  to  them,  they 
confess  is  fur  exceeded  by  their  spiritual  joy.  Hence, 
long  after  the  terrors  of  the  Lord  have  ceased  to 
work  upon  their  minds,  they  keep  at  a  distance 
frofu  sin,  from  persons,  pleasures,  and  amusements, 
which  before  engaged  their  hearts,  in  order  to  pos- 
sess the  peace  and  pleasures  they  have  tasted  in  the 
service  ol  Christ. 

Nor  can  it  be  said,  with  any  truth,  all  this  arises 
from  notions  put  into  their  heads,  or  from  the  force 
of  imagination  ;  because  a  great  number  have  had  no 
idea  of  spiritual  joy,  till  it  sprang  up  in  thtir  hearts, 
at  once  the  objcn  -  of  their  surprise,  and  the  cause  of 
their  preferring  nbove  all  things  the  service  of  the 
Lord.     Whilst  the  perfect  correspondence  this  spi- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  4§3 

ritual  joy  bears  with  the  scripture  promises,  its  foun- 
daiioii,  and  the  uniform  experience  of  those  who 
have  had  no  means  of  catching  it  from  others,  con- 
cur to  dehver  it  from  all  reasonable  suspicion  of  re- 
ligious delusion. 

We  may  further  observe,  that  there  are  many 
children  whose  meek  spirit  and  excellent  life  cannot 
reconcile  their  prejudiced  parents  to  the  power  of  re- 
ligion, by  whom  they  are  treated  with  great  harsh- 
ness, no  one  speaking  a  word  in  their  favour.  These 
children  are  still  far  from  desiring  peace,  b\  re- 
turning to  their  former  gaiety  and  fashionable  follies. 
They  find  a  sweetness  in  secret  pra}  er,  in  meditation, 
and  reading  the  word  of  God  which,  even  under 
their  beloved  parents'  cruel  displeasure,  is  better  to 
them  than  all  their  former  merriment,  with  the 
friendship  of  the  whole  flimilv . 

If  it  be  said,  who  knows  there  have  been  such 
instances?  I  aasvver,  the  history  of  the  church  at- 
tests there  have  been,  in  all  ages,  a  great  number; 
and  the  excellent  part  of  the  Christian  church  at 
this  day,  young  as  well  as  old,  vouch  this  truth. 
It  is  on  account  of  better  pleasures  not  from  morose 
humour,  or  superstitious  fear,  that  they  have  lost 
all  relish  for  amusements  they  once  pursued  with 
eagerness,  despising  all  who  did  not,  as  they  them- 
selves are  now  despised.  Unless,  therefore,  we 
shut  our  ears  against  the  testimony  of  scripture,  and 
our  eyes  against  the  testimony  of  dail\  facts,  we  must 
allow,  that  all  who  receive  and  obey  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  are  superior,  in  point  of  joy,  to  any  people 
upon  earth. 

As  this  is  fact,  so  it  is  necessary  Cristians  should 
be  filled  with  peace  and  joy.  Were  men  of  a  differ- 
ent make,  or  in  a  world  more  favourable  to  the  cause 
of  God,  it  would  be  then  sufncient  to  mark  out  the 
line  of  duty,  too  plain  to  be  mistaken,  and  enforce  it 


404  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

wnhjliture  rewards  so  great,  that  no  pleasure  or  gaiu 
from  sin  could  weigh  in  the  balance.  But  it  is  plain, 
from  the  slightest  consideration  of  our  nature,  that 
we  greedily  grasp  after  present  joy,  and  from  our 
birth  have  impetuous  inclinations  to  take  pleasure 
in  what  is  evil  and  forbidden.  Look  upon  young 
men.  How  are  they  prompted  from  within,  and  so- 
licited from  without,  to  transgress,  the  moment  they 
enter  on  the  stage  of  the  world  !  How  biassed  to  pre- 
fer vile  pastimes  and  joys  of  sense  to  all  wise  employ- 
ment of  their  time!  ^^«^ith  what  indiiference,  if  not 
strong  disgust,  do  they  hear  the  authority  of  God  con- 
demning their  favourite  pleasures  !  The  female  sex, 
though  more  restrained  from  excesses  in  youth,  as 
eagerly  delight  in  every  vanity — in  the  least  distinc- 
tion for  elegance  of  form,  gaudy  attire,  or  splendid  ap- 
pearance. Pleased  they  are  to  walk  with  out-stretch- 
ed necks  and  wanton  eyes ;  above  measure  fond  of 
levity  and  dissipation,  of  course  obstinately  averse 
to  Christian  faith  and  obedience.  In  the  next  period 
of  life  though  the  objects  of  gratification  somewhat 
vary,  still  inordinate  affection  towards  them  remains  as 
vehement  as  ever;  still  love  of  money,  ambition,  lux- 
ury, or  pride  of  life,  leads  the  soul  captive. 

Such  is  our  constitution  ;  and  from  it  arises  the  ne- 
cessity of  present  spiritual  peace  and  joy,  to  reconcile 
us  perfectly  to  a  Christian  life.  Without  these, 
teachers  recommend,  in  vain,  the  practice  of  duty  on 
account  of  its  future  rewards,  in  preference  to  pre- 
sent gratification.  This  reward  is  only  to  be  enjoyed 
after  death,  which  men  naturally  choose  to  put  at  a 
great  distance.  Make,  on  the  contrary,  the  proposal 
the  Redeemer  makes  to  his  disciples,  to  establish 
them  in  his  service ;  prove  *'  there  is  no  man  that 
hath  left  houses,  or  brethren,  or  sister,  or  father,  or 
mother,  or  v/ife,  or  children,  or  lands,  for  his  sake  and 
the  gospel's  but  (in  point  of  enjoyment,  through  the 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  40^ 

consolations  of  Christ,  and  the  favour  of  his  provi- 
dence) he  shall  receive  an  hundred  fold  now  in  this 
time,  houses,  and  brethren,  and  sisters,  and  mothers, 
and  children,  and  bonds,  with  persecution,  and,  in 
the  world  to  come,  eternal  life ;"  Mark.  x.  Here 
you  see  an  immediate  equivalent  for  any  sacrifice 
you  are  to  make  in  love  to  Christ,  and  cheerful  obe- 
dience to  his  will.  This  renders  self-denial  not  only 
practicable,  but,  upon  the  whole,  grateful.  Here  is 
not  what  otherwise  must  be  mere  authority  to  over- 
awe, or  selfish  regard  to  escape  the  bitter  pains  of  hell, 
but  such  spiritual  delight  as  makes  us  entirely  ap- 
prove of  our  choice,  and  freely  avow,  to  the  glory  of 
God,  that  we  were  utterly  depraved  and  blind  for  not 
embracing  him  and  his  service,  as  our  highest  and 
richest  portion  before. 

Besides,  it  is  necessary  believers  should  have 
much  peace  and  joy  in  the  service  of  God,  that  they 
may  *'  observe  and  do  whatsoever  they  are  command- 
ed. They  are  commanded  in  every  thing  to  give 
thanks,  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord  evermore,  to  be  con- 
tent with  such  things  as  they  have  and  to  be  patient 
in  tribulation."  These  tempers  are  but  a  just  ac- 
knowledgment of  the  mercies  of  redemption.  But 
these  tempers  cannot  dwell  in  the  soul,  till,  by  the 
power  of  divine  faith,  it  inherits  spiritual  blessings, 
which  naturally  excite  thanksgiving,  which  reduce 
sufferings,  most  formidable  in  the  eye  of  sense,  to 
light  afflictions,  and  self  denials,  grevious  to  the  flesh, 
into  pleasing  testimonies  of  unfeigned  love  to  God 
—  Fake  away  these  views,  and  suppose  no  delight 
to  spring  up  in  the  iitart  from  the  knowledge  of 
Christ,  it  V.  ill  be  then  impossible  to  rejoice  in  tribu- 
lation, and  under  every  cross  to  give  thanks.  *^  But 
if  we  are,  indeed,  risen  with  Christ,  if  our  life  is  hid 
with  him  in  God,  and  we  know  that  when  he  who 
is  our  life  shall  appear,  we  shall  appear  also  with  him 


40&  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

in  glor5!^,  then  victory  over  our  natural  fears,  and 
contentment  in  the  most  trying  troubles  are  quite 
practicable."  And  it  were  easy  to  prove,  from  the 
New  Testament,  that  true  Christian  are  requested 
in  every  thing  to  give  thanks,  because  they  have  re- 
ceived of  the  Lord  such  rich  tokens  of  his  love.  It 
follows,  therefore,  that,  unless  we  have  joy  in  God, 
our  hearts  will  be  enamoured  of  some  mean  and  base 
object  to  his  dishonour,  and  our  own  ruin  ;  nor  shall 
wt  be  able  to  give  him  the  glory  of  a  cheerful  sub- 
mission to  his  will  in  all  things.  Comparing,  therefore, 
our  condition  with  the  obedience  and  tempers  of  a 
real  believer,  it  must  be  allowed,  there  is  absolute 
need  of  spiritual  peace  and  joy  peculiar  to  believers, 
and  superior  to  every  thing  the  world  can  offer ;  and 
all  who  will  submit  to  the  authority  of  scripture 
must  be  convinced  of  the  reasonableness,  reality,  and 
excellent  use  of  joy  in  God. 

I  shall  only  add  a  caution  against  a  wrong  con- 
struction of  this  grand  privilege  of  the  Christian 
church,  and  an  exhortation  to  all,  as  they  desire  pre- 
sent happiness,  to  seek,  in  the  first  place,  the  know- 
ledge of  Christ. 

It  must  be  remembered,  then,  that  the  peace  and 
joy  proved  above  vary  in  degree,  according  to  se- 
veral circumstances.  The  weak  in  faith  enjoy  but 
little  in  comparison  of  the  strong.  A  small  storm 
is  enough  to  terrify  the  former,  and  make  them  dread 
a  shipwreck ;  whilst  the  latter,  from  clearer  know- 
ledge of  God's  will  and  loving-kindness,  can  trust, 
without  pain  to  the  care  of  their  unerring  pilot, 
though  the  tempest  rages,  and  neither  sun,  or  moon, 
or  stars,  are  seen  for  many  days.  Contempt,  re- 
proach, and  slanders,  wound  exceedingly  new  dis- 
ciples, who  over-rate  the  judgment  of  men  ;  whilst 
those  who  are  duly  mortified  to  the  world,  can  wait 
with  cheerfulness'  till  their  innocence  is  vindicated 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  40'r 

by  the  Lord,  whom  they  serve.  Some  are  apt  soon 
to  yield  to  discouraging  appearances,  if  the  severity 
of  a  conflict  with  their  vile  affections  continues; 
whilst  others,  like  veteran  soldiers,  can  follow,  un- 
daunted, the  captain  of  their  salvation,  in  the  hottest 
of  the  battle.  Some  (iiew  born  babes,  as  the  scrip- 
ture calls  them,)  ignorant  of  the  discipline  of  their 
father's  house,  find  it  difficult  to  believe  they  are  his 
dear  children,  w^hen  they  strongly  feel  the  distem- 
per of  their  nature,  or  lose  the  sensible  sweetness  of 
communion  with  God ;  or  are  sorely  afflicted  for  a 
gieat  length  of  time,  whilst  others  who  judge  truly, 
and  understand  his  mind  and  will,  no  longer  estimate 
their  own  safety  or  growth  in  grace,  solely  by  their 
own  feelings.  Some,  full  of  desire  to  be  without 
spot,  and,  imperceptibly  to  themselves,  trusting  in 
part  to  their  own  graces,  are  ready  to  despond  at  the 
sight  of  their  infirmities,  and  the  many  blemishes 
found  in  the  best;  whilst  others,  of  clearer  judg-' 
ment  and  more  knowledge,  only  sink  deeper  into 
self  abasement,  and,  at  the  sight  of  both,  cleave 
more  steadfastly  to  Christ  their  hope,  and  so  hold  fast 
the  confidence  of  their  rejoicing.  Some  are  in  con- 
stitution alert,  lively,  and  confident,  which  makes 
them  more  joyous,  in  the  same  circumstances,  than 
those  who  are  phlegmatic,  dull,  and  timorous  in 
their  spirit. 

In  the  same  persons  also,  at  different  times,  spir- 
itual  peace  and  joy  will  often  vary,  from  the  stupify- 
ing  povyer  of  bodily  disease,  and  according  to  their 
temptations,  diligence  in  holy  duties,  faithfulness  to 
God,  and  his  good  pleasure,"^  from  whom  all  conso- 
lations flow.  Whilst,  therefore,  we  strenuously 
maintain  the  divine  privilege  of  Christians  is  to  re- 
joice in  the  Lord,  still  the  degree  or  continuance  of 
that  joy  must  not  be  absolutely  fixed,  or  made  essen- 
tial  to  saving  faith.    For  then  we  shall  often  make  sad 


408  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

the  hearts  of  the  ris:hteous,  whom  God  would  not 
have  made  sad ;  and  instead  of  strengthening  the 
weak,  and  encouraging  them  to  go  on,  beat  them 
down.  Nevertheless,  if  professors  of  faith  in  Christ 
are  habitually  strangers  to  joy  in  God,  and  pleasure 
in  his  service,  of  which  so  many  excellent  things  are 
spoken  in  the  Bible,  they  have  great  reason  to  sus- 
pect they  are  counterfeits.  It  behoves  them  much 
to  examine  Avhether  some  hateful  idol,  as  monej ,  or 
forbidden  pleasure,  husband,  wife,  or  child,  does 
not  rob  God  of  their  hearts  :  or  whether  they  have 
not  mean  thoughts  of  Christ's  power  and  grace,  but 
high  ones  of  man's  obedience  to  obtain  favour  with 
God.  This  scrutiny  is  quite  necessary,  and  ought 
to  be  repeated  with  great  strictness,  because  it  is 
certain  the  proper  abiding  state  of  real  Christians 
is  that  of  pleasure  :  ''  The  kingdom  of  God  whithin 
them  is  righteousness,  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy 
Ghost."  The  great  apostle  was  of  this  judgment ; 
therefore  he  earnesdy  prayed  for  the  church  at 
Rome,  that  '^the  God  of  hope  would  fill  them  with  all 
peace  and  joy  in  believing,  and  cause  them  to  abound 
in  hope,  through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  given 
unto  them. 

Since,  then,  the  present  advantages  of  true  faith 
are  so  great,  who  can  have  the  feelings  of  humanity, 
in  the  lowest  degree,  and  not  pray  to  God,  O  that  all 
who  hear  this  day  the  sound  of  the  gospel,  w^ere  alto- 
gether Christians  !  O  that  the  tongues  of  all  in  the 
sacred  office  were  employed,  and  the  arm  of  the  Lord 
revealed,  to  compel  our  fellow- sinners  to  come  into 
that  grand  festivity  for  the  soul  which  he  hath  pre- 
pared, that  his  house  might  be  filled! 

Ye  young,  ye  gay,  ye  rich,  and  noble,  be  no 
longer  prejudiced  against  the  Saviour,  as  if  his  ex- 
cellent precepts  were  too  strict  a  rule  for  you  to  ob- 
serve.    Examine  the  matter  closely ;  make  trial  of 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  409 

submission  to  him  without  reserve.  You  will  find 
his  gospel  an  embassy  of  peace  and  reconciliation 
from  God,  who  is  love,  to  a  world  of  rebels  up  in 
arms  against  him  ;  an  assemblage  of  privileges,  pro- 
mises, and  spiritual  delights,  suited  to  all  your  wants, 
more  than  equal  to  your  desires,  and  thus  designed 
to  knit  your  hearts  unto  him. 

Cease  for  ever,  ye  deluded  vassals,  to  indulge  in 
unlawful  love  for  women,  wine,   wealth,  or  honour, 
as  if,  without  these  base  sources  of  gratification,  ye 
must  be  miserable.     Hear,  and  be  persuaded  ;  the 
Possessor  of  heaven  and  earth  makes  a  marriage  sup- 
per for  his  Son  ;  that  Son,  respecting  such  as  you, 
says,  "  I  stand  at  the  door  and  knock  ;  if  any  man 
open,  I  will  come  in  to  him,  and  will  sup  with  him, 
and  he  with  me;"  i.  e.   we  will  then  dwell  together 
on  terms  of  infinite  friendship,  and,  in  reciprocal  love, 
feast  together.     Consider  this  as  ye  ought.      I  urge 
not  the  doom  to  which  you  are  exposed,  whilst  ye 
refuse  to  hear  his  voice,  who  speaketh  thus  from 
heaven.     I  insist  not  on  that  hour,  which  is  near, 
when  all  your  filthy  sources  of  joy  will  be  terribly 
transformed  into  avengers  of  your   wickedness.     I 
do  not  attempt  to  lay  open  the  horrors  of  •'  Tophet, 
which  is  deep  and  large  ;  the  pile  thereof  is  fire  and 
much  wood ;  and  the  breath  of  the  Lord,   like  a 
stream  of  brimstone,  doth  kindle   it."     But  1  be- 
seech you,  by  the  consolations  that  are  in  Christ,  by 
the  comforts  of  love,  and  by  the  fellowship  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  call  upon  God,  that  you  may  lay  aside 
all  wickedness  and   superfluity  of  naughtiness,   in 
order  that  you  may  immediately  taste  the  pure  joys 
which  flow  down  from  the   throne  of  God  into  the 
hearts  of  his  faithful  people.     Deal  no  more  so  mad- 
ly as  to  prefer,  for  the  sake  of  pleasure,   the  harlot's 
embrace,  or  the  drunkard's  cup,  the  love  of  the 
world,  and  the  things  of  the  world,  to  the  river 


410  COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

xvhich  maketh  glad  the  church  in  earth  and  heaven. 
Make  no  longer  the  hideous  choice  of  darkness  and 
estrangement  from  the  Creator,  Redeemer,  and  Sanc- 
tifier,  before  the  light  of  life  ;  an  education  for  ever- 
lasting glory,  with  an  earnest  of  it  from  day  to  day 
in  your  own  souls. 

Consider  what  a  cloud  of  witnesses  are  ready  to 
confront  and  confound  you.  Appear  before  these 
witnesses  you  must.  They  felt  so  much  peace  and 
jo^  in  the  service  of  Christ,  as  gladly  to  renounce 
every  comfort  of  life,  sooner  than  be  false  to  him'; 
and,  rather  than  deny  him,  took  joyfully  the  spoiling 
of  their  goods,  and  met  death  from  their  enraged 
persecutors.  The  same  Saviour,  no  more  impair- 
ed in  excellency,  or  the  riches  of  his  love,  than 
the  sun  in  brightness,  presents  himself  with  these 
gracious  words  proceeding  from  his  lips,  "  Whoso- 
ever will,  let  him  come  and  drink  of  the  water  of  life 
freely." 

And  can  you  be  such  despicable  dupes  to  the 
maxims  of  the  world,  and  your  own  wild  passions, 
as  to  be  afraid  of  comings  into  full  suhjt^ction  to 
Christ,  lest }  ou  should  suffer  m  point  o\ present  en- 
joyment?  Suffer!  Impossible:  for  all  you  are  re- 
quired to  give  up  is  sordid,  selfish,  and  the  prosti- 
tution of  your  souls  to  Satan.  Be  assured,  of  all  the 
p-ross  falsehoods  he  makes  the  most  credulous  fools 
swallow,  this  bears  the  palm,  to  imagine  any  plea- 
sures upon  earth  equal  to  those  which  flow  from  the 
knowledge  and  love  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Finally,  be  instructed,  ye  decent  self-righteous 
professors  of  religion.  Strive  no  longer  to  glean  up 
some  grains  of  satisfaction  from  a  good  opinion  of 
yourselves,  the  works  you  do,  and  the  religious  prin- 
ciples you  hold.  No  longer  tread  the  tiresome 
round  of  duties,  as  a  penance  to  escape  damnation, 
and  purchase  favour  of  God.    Uncomfortable,  sense- 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  411 

fess  service  !  Thus  he  addresses  such  serious,  but 
sadly  deceived  persons :  '*  Wherefore  do  ye  spend 
money  for  that  which  is  not  bread,  and  your  labour 
for  that  which  satisfieth  not  ?'' 

"  Hearken  diligently  unto  nne,  and  eat  ye  that 
which  is  good,  and  let  your  soul  delight  itself  in  fat- 
ness. Hear,  and  your  soul  shall  live,  and  I  will 
give  you  the  sure  mercies  of  Daved,  i.  e.  Christ. 
Behold  I  have  given  him  for  a  witness  [of  my  free 
grace  and  love]  to  the  people,  a  leader  and  com- 
mander to  the  people." 

Make  Christ,  then,  the  Alpha  and  the  Omega,  the 
first  and  last,  the  beginning  and  end  of  all  your  reli- 
gif)n,  and  great  will  be  your  peace.  You  shall  de- 
light yourselves  in  the  Lord,  and  he  shall  give  you 
your  hearts'  desire.  Then  you  shall  see  the  words 
in  which  Moses  describes  the  church  of  God  in  old 
time,  are  applicable  in  a  still  higher  sense  to  the 
bodv  of  Christ,  his  faithful  followers.  What  nation 
is  there  so  great,  who  hath  God  so  nigh  unto  them 
as  the  Lord  our  God  is  in  all  things  that  we  call  upon 
him  for  ?  H^ippy  ^irt  thou,  O  Israel !  who  is  like  un- 
to thee,  O  people,  saved  by  the  Lord,  the  shield  of 
thy  help,  and  the  sword  of  thy  excellency  ?  and  ihine 
enemies  shall  be  found  liars  unto  thee,  and  thou  shalt 
tread  upon  their  high  places. 


PRAYER, 

Suited  to  the  preceding  Subject. 

BLESSED  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  who  hath  blessed  his  church  with  all 
spiritual  blessings,  in  heavenly  things  in  Christ  Jesus. 
But  to  us  belongeth  shame  and  confusion  of  face, 


412  eOMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN. 

who  so  long  denied  the  reality  of  these  blessings,  or 
feit  no  desire  to  enjoy  them.  We  have  sought 
greedily  to  satisfy  ourselves  with  base  and  sensual 
delights.  O  pardon  our  sin  and  provocation.  Now 
make  us  to  know  thou  art  our  supreme  good,  and 
that  the  revelation  of  thy  truth,  peace,  and  love,  is 
better  than  all  the  pleasures  of  sin.  Be  not  unto  us 
as  a  God  that  hideth  thyself.  Gi\'e  now  to  all  who 
come  to  thee  by  Christ  Jesus  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost, 
as  thou  didst  to  thy  saints  of  old.  Enable  each  to 
cry  out,  I  have  trusted  in  thy  mercy,  my  heart  shall 
rejoice  in  thy  salvation.  I  will  sing  unto  the  Lord, 
because  he  hath  dealt  bountifully  with  me.  Make 
us  exceedingly  glad  with  thy  countenance.  Let  all 
that  seek  thee  be  joyful  and  glad  in  thee  ;  let  such  as 
love  thy  salvation  say  continually,  the  Lord  be  mag- 
nified. Send  the  spirit  of  adoption  into  our  hearts, 
that  we  may  cry,  Abba,  Father ;  that  we  may  be 
anxious  for  nothing,  but  in  every  thing,  by  prayer 
and  supplication,  with  thanksgiving,  make  known 
our  requests  unto  thee ;  that  so  thy  peace,  which 
passeth  all  understanding,  may  rule  in  our  hearts 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Fill  us  with  assur- 
ance that  thy  eyes  are  always  over  the  righteous,  and 
thine  ears  ever  open  to  their  prayers,  that  in  the 
midst  of  trouble  we  may  find  comfort,  and  have  thee 
for  our  exceeding  joy. 

O  Lord  and  heavenly  Father,  pity  and  deliver  from 
their  wilful  ignorance  the  multitude,  who  make  light 
of  the  feast  thou  hast  provided  for  them  who  love 
thee,  even  before  they  are  received  up  into  glory. 
Say  unto  them,  O  ye  sons  of  men,  how  long  will  ye 
blaspheme  my  honour,  and  give  your  hearts  only  to 
that  which  defiles,  wounds,  and  wall  destroy  you  ? 
O  that  they  may  experience  that  thy  love  gives  more 
joy  than  the  full  indulgence  of  base  appetites.  May 
they  ponder  on  this  inestimable  truth,  that   thou, 


COMPLETE  DUTY  OF  MAN.  41 S 

Lord,  art  a  sun  and  a  shield,  that  thou  givest  grace 
and  glory,  and  no  good  thing  dost  thou  withhold 
from  them  who  lead  a  godly  life. 

May  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  God,  even  our 
Father,  who  hath  loved  us,  and  given  us  everlasting 
consolation,  and  good  hope  through  grace,  comfort 
our  hearts,  and  establish  us  in  every  good  word  and 
work.     Amciu 


OFFICES  OF  DEVOTIOH 

FOR    THE 

USE  OF  FAMILIES, 

AND    FOR 

Persons  in  Various  Conditions. 

The  following  admonition,  read  occasionally  before  family-wor- 
sliip,  is  very  proper  to  produce  seriousness  of  mind,  t.nd  to 
keep  up  a  godly  jealousy,  lest  hypocrisy  and  formality  render 
this  important  duty  of  no  use.  It  is  necessary  to  preserve 
us  from  shamefully  contradicting  in  our  tempers  through  the 
day,  the  prayers  we  offer  up.  This  horrid  absurdity  hath 
greatly  contributed  to  banish  family-worship,  as  a  practice 
of  no  benefit. 

My  Friends  and  Fellow  Christians, 

W  E,  dust  and  ashes,  are  now  met  to  call  upon  the 
Lord  God  Almighty.  He  deserves  all  possibi<'  ado- 
ration and  reverence.  He  also  strictly  charges  us  to 
take  heed  we  draw  not  nigh  to  him  with  our  lips, 
whilst  our  hearts  are  far  from  him.  He  assures  us, 
he  will  exalt  those  only  who  abase  themselves,  and 
give  grace  only  to  the  humble.  He  is  also  of  purer 
eves  than  to  accept  our  prayers,  unless  they  be  of- 
fered up  in  dependence  upon  the  mediation  of  Jesus 
Christ  the  righteous,  our  advocate,  and  the  propi- 
tiation for  our  sin. 

Now,  therefore,  may  we  have  grace  to  lift  up  our 
hearts  to  God  with  sincerity,  reverence,  lowliness  of 
mind,  and  lively  faith  in  Christ ;  then  shall  we  re- 
ceive whatever  we  ask  according  to  his  will.  With 
these  dispositions,  we  should  at  all  times  desire  to 
pray.  So  shall  our  worship  be  pleasing  to  God, 
comfortable  to  ourselves,  and  make  us  excellent  in 
our  tempers  to  every  one  about  us. 


OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION.  41^ 

Family  Prayer  for  the  Morning  of  the  Lord's  Day. 

ALL  praise  be  given  unto  thee,  O  God,  our 
heavenly  Father,  for  this  holy  clay,  in  which  we  imi- 
tate the  company  in  heaven,  whilst  we  assemble  in 
thy  courts  on  earth. 

Instead  of  rejecting  us  for  our  pride,  and  wilful  ig- 
norance, and  forgetfulness  of  thee,  thou  hast  set  apart 
thy  day  to  teach  us  the  knowledge  of  thy  name,  and 
of  our  own  condition.  Thou  hast  commanded  us  to 
make  public  confession  of  our  sins,  and  thy  perfect 
hatred  of  them  ;  of  our  manifold  disobedience,  and 
thy  amazing  forbearance  ;  of  our  depravity  and  per- 
petual need  of  thy  grace.  Thou  hast  commanded 
us  thus  to  abase  ourselves  before  thee,  lest  a  proud, 
self-sufficient  spirit  should  destroy  us-  Thou  hast 
commanded  us  to  make  intercession  for  all  men,  that 
our  hearts  may  be  enlarged  in  love  towards  them, 
and  our  hands  ready  to  minister  to  their  necessities. 
Thou  hast  sent  thy  word  unto  us  for  reproof,  correc- 
tion, and  instruction  in  righteousness,  to  make  us 
wise  unto  salvation,  through  faith  which  is  in  Christ 
Jesus.  And  thou  hast  required  us  to  give  thee 
thanks  in  the  great  congregation,  in  order  that  our 
hearts  may  be  filled  with  gratitude  to  thee  for  all 
thy  benefits.  O  how  amiable  on  these  accounts, 
Lord  God  of  hosts,  are  thy  houses  in  our  land  !  We 
especially  adore  thy  goodness,  in  passing  over  the 
provocations  and  insults  we  have  so  often  repeated, 
by  rushing  into  thy  house,  in  pride,  hypocrisy,  and 
contempt  of  thy  salvation.  Instead  of  cutting'  us  off 
in  this  most  dreadful  state,  thou  hast  been  pleased  to 
lay  it  ail  open  to  our  view.  Therefore  we  now,  on 
our  knees,  implore  of  thee  every  disposition  of  heart 
which  can  make  us  acceptable  worshippers.  O  our 
God,  send  forth  light  and  truth,  forcibly  to  impress 
us  with  the  great  importance  of  the  work  we  have  to 


.416  OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION. 

do.     Shield  us  from  all  distractions.     Whilst  we 
confess  our  sins,  fill  us  with  deep  self-abasement  and 
godly  sorrow.     Give  us  to  ask  in  full  assurance  of 
receiving  the  things  we  need,  pardon,  righteousness, 
and  strength,   from  thy  love  in  Christ  Jesus.     Ac- 
company thy  oracles,  and  the  preaching  of  thy  ser- 
vants with  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  that  we  may 
be  more  wise,  and  more  diligent  to  follow  the  exam- 
ples set  before  us  :  that  thy  judgments  and  threaten- 
ings  against  transgressors  may  deter  us  from  walk- 
ing after  the  flesh,  and  the  fashion  of  this  world.     O 
that,  by  hearing  thy  gospel,  we  may   clearly  per- 
ceive, and  gladly  embrace  the  great  salvation  it  pro- 
claims, and  be  careful  to  observe  and  do  whatsoever 
our  Lord  commands.     And  when  w^e  offer  up  our 
prayers  for  all  estates  and  conditions  of  men,  give  us 
to  feel  bowels  of  mercies,  and  to  beg  for  their  sup- 
port, deliverance,  and  salvation,  as  for  our  own. 

Thou  knowest,  L  >rd,  our  sad  condition;  that 
when  we  would  do  good,  as  thy  holy  law  requires, 
evil  is  present  with  us.  We  would  wait  upon  thee 
without  a  wandering  thought ;  but  our  weakness  and 
depravity,  alas !  are  manifest,  after  all  our  endeav- 
ours to  be  wholly  taken  up  in  thy  service.  Arise,  O 
God,  and  save  us  from  those  idle  thoughts,  which 
else  will  hinder  our  prayers ;  and  though  we  can 
have  nothing  to  rejoice  in  what  we  do,  may  we  re- 
joice in  thy  goodness  and  tender  mercies,  in  the  re- 
demption of  our  souls  by  the  blood  of  Jesus,  and  in 
thy  exceeding  great  and  precious  promises. 

Thou,  Lord,  hast  appointed  pastors  and  teachers, 
whose  lips  should  retain  knowledge,  and  the  people 
are  to  be  mstructed  in  thy  law  from  their  mouths. 
We  prav  thee  to  give  unto  them  all  the  spirit  of  wis- 
dom and  revelation  in  the  knowledge  of  Christ,  that 
they  may  be  taught  how  to  lay,  like  able  builders, 
the  true  foundation;  and,  by  their  preaching,  may 


OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION  417 

knowledge  be  increased,  and  sinners  turned  from 
their  evil  ways.  By  their  preaching,  may  thy  chil- 
dren be  comforted  and  established,  the  beauty  of 
holiness  and  the  sinfulness  of  sin  be  effectually  set 
forth ;  that  after  due  improvement  of  thy  day,  house, 
and  word,  we  may  for  ever  rejoice  in  the  rest  which 
remaineth  for  all  the  people  of  God,  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord  and  Saviour.     Amert' 


Evening*  Family  Prayer  on  tlie  Lord's  Day. 

THOU,  O  Lord  our  God,  art  great,  wonder- 
ful, and  holy.  Thou  art  exalted  far  above  all  bless- 
ings and  praise  which  men  or  angels  can  offer ;  yet 
thou  hast  taught  us,  that  whoever  offereth  thee 
thanks,  he  honoureth  thee.  Much  cause  have  we  now 
to  praise  thy  name  for  thine  ordinances,  which  we 
have  this  day  observed.  Pardon  die  iniquity  of  our 
holy  things,  and  cleanse  us  from  the  defilement  cleav- 
ing to  our  best  services.  Accept  our  prayers  and 
praises,  for  the  sake  and  through  the  intercession  of 
our  great  and  merciful  High- Priest.  For  his  sake, 
O  heavenly  Father,  fulfil  ail  the  requests  we  have 
made  this  day  before  theCj  that  the  benefit  we  gain 
in  calling  upon  thy  name  together  may  be  manifest 
in  our  deportment,  and  felt  in  our  heart.  Thus 
may  we  love  and  serve  thee,  waiting  in  joy  ml  hope 
for  that  hour  when  we  shall  see  thee  face  to  face,  and 
know  even  as  we  are  known. 

To  thy  mercy  we  recommend  all  our  relations, 
and  all  our  friends.  Enlighten  their  minds,  that 
they  may  not  profane  thy  holy  day  ;  give  them  grace 
to  worship  thee  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  with  the  great 
congregation  ;  to  spend  their  time  with  joy  in  retire- 
ment, and  secret  prayer,  and  meditation  upon  the 
multitude  of  mercies  they  have  received  from  thy 
hand. 

.3  £ 


41S  OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION. 

Visit,  O  Lord,  the  nations  yet  sitting  in  darkness 
and  ihe  shadow  of  death.  Ma}  the  day-spring  from 
on  high  shine  upon  them,  to  guide  their  feet  into  the 
way  of  peace.  O  that  the  fulness  of  the  Gentiles 
may  come  into  Christ,  and  all  Israel  be  saved  !  O 
that  the  mountain  of  the  Lord's  house  may  be  esta- 
blished upon  the  top  of  the  mountains,  and  exalted 
above  the  hills,  and  the  earth  be  filled  with  the  glory 
of  the  Lotd ! 

We  beseech  thee,  O  Lord,  to  put  an  end  to  all 
idolatry  and  superstition  in  the  nations  called  after  thy 
name.  Cause  the  power  of  godliness  to  flourish  in 
all  thy  churches.  Utterly  destroy  formality  and  hy* 
pDcrisy  amongst  the  professors  of  thy  holy  fiiith,  that 
there  be  no  offence  given  to  scoffers,  or  that  they 
should  have  any  cause  to  say,  what  advantage  does 
the  gospel  of  Christ  impart? 

Take  us  this  night,  O  our  God,  under  the  shadow 
of  thy  wing.  When  we  avvakt,  may  we  think  of 
thee  :  and  if  our  life  is  spared  to  the  return  of  day, 
may  we  walk  in  the  light  of  thy  countenance,  and  in 
all  thy  commandments  blameless.  And  when  our 
departure  is  at  hand,  may  we  enjoy  a  sweet  foretaste 
of  heavenly  bliss,  and  know,  that  when  we  are  re- 
moved from  waiting  upon  thee  in  the  courts  ot  thy 
house  below,  we  shall,  with  angels  and  archangels, 
and  all  the  companv  of  heaven,  for  ever  laud  and 
magnify  thy  name,  O  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost, 
to  whom  be  ascribed,  as  is  most  due,  giory  and  do- 
minion for  ever  and  ever.     Amen, 


Morning  Prayer  for  a  Family. 

O  BLESSED  God,  who  hast  so  loved  the 
world,  as  to  give  thme  oni)  begotten  Son,  to  the  end 
tliat  all  who  i)elieve  in  him  should  not  perish,  but 
have  eternal  life,  mercifully  look  upon  us,  mibcrable 


OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION.  419 

sinners.  How  ignorant  are  we  of  his  excellency,  or 
our  need  of  his  salvation  !  How  iinafFected  with  all 
we  have  heard  of  his  glory  !  Though  his  name  is 
above  every  name  in  heaven,  we  feel  an  horrid  back- 
wardness to  trust  our  souls  in  his  hand,  and  little 
comfort  from  what  he  has  done  or  promised.  O  re- 
veal to  us,  by  the  Hoiy  Ghobt,  the  person,  office, 
love,  and  |)Ower  of  th}  Christ.  O  that  He  may  be 
no  less  precious  to  our  souls,  than  he  was  to  the  saints 
and  martyrs  of  old.  Thou  hast  declared  thy  Son 
shall  be  exalted  and  ex'olled,  and  be  very  high; 
may  he  be  so  in  our  eyes  more  and  more.  Through 
faith  in  his  name,  may  we  receive  daily  the  pardon  of 
our  sins,  the  comfort  of  th)  help,  and  abound  in 
hope  of  the  glory  of  God.  May  the  love  of  Christ 
constrain  us  to  live  to  his  honour  by  loving  one  ano- 
ther. Objects  always  of  his  compassion,  and  saved 
by  the  redemption  that  is  in  him,  may  we  be  able 
to  foibear  and  forgive,  putting  far  from  us  all  an- 
ger, strife,  and  variance.  O  let  a  life  of  meekness, 
quietness,  and  peace,  be  the  fruit  of  our  daily  wor- 
ship. For  the  credit  of  our  holy  profession,  and 
that  our  very  prayers  may  not  be  turned  into  sin, 
make  us  who  dwell  together  to  be  of  one  mind,  and 
to  build  up  each  orher  in  our  holy  faith.  By  thy 
good  providence,  O  God,  our  heavenly  Father,  pre- 
serve us,  if  it  please  thee,  from  all  evil  and  mischief, 
from  fierce  disease  aiid  torturing  pain.  In  the  midst  of 
our  prosperity,  may  w^e  stand  prepared  for  a  change. 
O  may  we  be  able  to  glorify  thee  in  tribulation,  and 
on  a  bed  of  languishing.  For  this  purpose,  estab- 
lish us  still  more  in  Christ  Jesus,  seal  us  unto  theday 
of  redemption,  and  give  us  in  our  hearts  the  earnest 
of  thy  Spirit. 

To  all  onr  near  relations  and  kind  friends,  be  mer- 
ciful and  e:racious,  O  Lord  our  God.  May  thev  be 
led  to  give  a  deep  attention  to  the  care  of  their  souls. 


430  OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION. 

and  overcome  by  faith  in  Christ  this  present  evil 
world  Be  a  God  unto  them,  and  a  guide  all  their 
days  upon  earth ;  and  after  death  may  they  be  re- 
ceived up  into  glory. 

Make  the  nation  to  which  we  belong  a  people  fear- 
infj:  thy  name.  Biess  all  who  are  put  in  authority  over 
us.  V  isit,  comlort,  and  deliver  all  who  are  in  griev- 
ous affliction,  or  oppressed  with  poverty  ;  love  our 
enemies,  bless  them  who  curse  us,  do  good  to  them 
who  hate  us,  and  enable  us  to  do  the  same. 

Accept  our  praises  for  thy  perpetual  goodness  to  us 
ever  since  we  were  born,  for  our  sleep  by  night,  for 
the  pleasent  return  of  light  and  day,  for  the  use  of 
reason  and  th^  means  of  grace,  and  above  all  for  thy 
chief  mercy,  Christ  Jesus.  With  all  that  is  within  us 
we  would  bless  thy  name  for  this  unspeakable  gift, 
ascribing  to  him,  with  thyself  and  the  Holy  Ghost, 
all  honour  and  praise,  might,  majesty,  and  dominion, 
world  without  end.     Ameii, 

Our  Father  v/hich  art  in  heaven,  ^c. 


Evening  Prayer  for  a  Family. 

HOLY  and  ever- blessed  Lord  God,  thou  hast 
made  all  things,  and  orderest  all  things  by  thine  un- 
erring wisdom.  Thou  fillest  heaven  and  earth  with 
thy  presence,  and  from  thee  proceedeth  CAcry  good 
and  perfect  gift. 

We,  miserable  sinners,  desire  now  to  approach 
thee  with  a  contrite  spirit,  confessing  our  vileness. 
Wc  have  been  full  of  pride  and  hypocrisy  in  thy 
siglit  and  towards  men.  We  have  been  all  alive  to 
the  things  of  the  world,  but  utterly  indiiibrent  to  thy 
cause  and  glory.  Long  did  we  stand  out  against 
every  call  to  repentance,  and  often  have  vre  sinned 
wilfully.  We  have  set  at  naught  thy  threatenings 
and  promises,  and  hardened  our  hearts  under  th} 


OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION.  4.21 

chastisements.  We  are  not  able  to  reckon  up  all 
our  sins,  nor  the  circumstances  which  have  made 
them  exceedino:ly  sintui.  Humble  us,  we  beseech 
thee,  by  placing  before  us  all  the  detestable  qualities 
chargeable  upon  us  in  every  act  of  disobedience. 
O  make  us  perceive  clearly  how  unjust  and  daring, 
how  rebellious  and  ungrateful,  we  have  been  in  cast- 
ing thy  words  behind  us.  Give  us  to  know  there  is  no 
remission  of  our  sins  but  through  fiiith  in  the  blood 
of  thy  Son  ;  b}  his  blood  may  we  know  we  are  jus- 
tified, and  havt  peace  wuh  thee. 

Vouchsafe,  O  God,  to  turn  us  from  all  iniquity. 
Create  us  again  after  thy  ow^n  image,  that  we  may- 
live  to  thy  praise.  May  it  be  the  continual  desire  of 
our  souls  to  obey  and  serve  thee,  and  may  life  be  va- 
lued principal  I  \  by  us,  as  an  opportunity  of  doing 
thy  will  and  keeping  thy  commandments  before  men, 
that  they  may  see  our  good  works,  and  be  led  to 
glorify  thee  our  heavenly  Father. 

Bring  to  our  remembrance  that  solemn  account 
we  must  give  when  the  throne  shall  be  set,  and  die 
books  be  open.  May  we,  by  faith  in  Christ,  and 
knowledge  of  his  giory,  be  ready  for  his  appear- 
ance. In  that  great  day,  may  we  triumph  with  all 
his  saints,  saying,  Lo,  this  is  our  God ;  we  have 
waited  for  him,  and  he  will  save  us.  This  is  the 
Lord,  we  will  be  glad  and  rejoice  in  his  salvciiion. 

To  thy  micrciful  protection,  O  God,  we  hunibly 
commend  ourselves  this  night.  Defend  our  persons, 
our  dwelling,  and  our  possessions.  Give  us,  if  it 
please  thee,  refreshing  sleep,  that,  with  strength  of 
body  and  vigour  of  mind,  we  may  serve  thee,  and 
at  last  be  admitted  into  that  world,  whcreth  ere  is  no 
night  or  sleep,  w^here  we  shall  receive  the  end  of 
our  faith,  even  the  salvation  of  our  souls,  through 
Jesus  Chiist  our  Lord,  in  dependence  upon  whose 
righteousness  and  everlasting  intercession,  we  offer 


422  OFFICES  OF  BIEVOTION. 

tip  unto  thee  this  our  faniily-worbhip,  concluding  as 
he  hath  taught  us  to  pray, 
Our  father,  ^c» 


Prayer  to  be  used  before  Pctrtaking  of  the  Lord*s  Supper. 

IN  obedience  to  thy  command,  my  Saviour  and 
my  God,  I  now  come  to  eat  of  that  bread,  and  drink 
of  that  cup,  which  is  designed  to  set  thee  forth  mani- 
festly crucified  before  our  eyes.  O  teach  me,  that  I 
may  come  with  knowledge  of  the  nature  and  infinite 
value  of  thy  sacrifice.  May  I  feel  my  poverty  and 
defilement,  and  draw  nigh  with  a  true  heart,  utterly 
rejecting  every  other  way  of  salvation  nu  n  naturally- 
trust  in,  and  placing  all  my  hope  on  th}  blood  to 
cleanse  me  from  all  unrighteousness.  1  would  come 
with  ui feigned  love,  designing  to  make  a  full  sur- 
render of  myself  to  thee,  thou  Lord  over  all,  and 
head  of  the  church.  Thou  wast  pleased  to  forgive 
the  woman  who  was  an  infamous  sinner,  and  bid  h  r 
go  in  peace.  Thou  didst  declare  the  pubiican  jus- 
tified. Thou  didst  put  awav  the  sin  of  Peter  who 
denied  thee  with  oaths  and  curses.  Thou  didst  take 
up  the  crucified  thief  immediately  into  giorv,  upon 
turning  to  thee  for  mercy.  Bless  me  also,  O  my 
Lord;  forgive  my  transgressions  as  thou  didst  thtirs. 
In  this  feast,  lift  up  the  light  of  thy  countenance  up- 
on me,  that  1  may  know  th;\t  I  ani  justified  by  thy 
blood,  and  shall  be  certainly  preserved  and  saved  by 
thy  life  in  the  presence  of  God  for  thy  church. 
When  the  outward  and  visible  signs  of  thy  merito- 
rious death  are  put  into  my  hands,  may  1,  by  a  true 
iaith,  eat  thy  flesh,  and  drink  thy  blood,  so  as  to  find 
it  meat  indeed  and  drink  indeed  unto  my  soul,  so 
that  I  may  dwell  in  thee,  and  thou  in  me  ;  that  1  may 
know  I  have  eternal  life,  and  that  thou  wilt  raise  me 
up  at  the  last  day. 


©mCES  or  DEVOTION.  4^ 

May  thy  love  for  our  souls,  stronger  than  deaths 
unite  us  all  in  love  to  each  other,  as  members  alike  of 
thv  body  in  the  church.  Whilst  we  are  all  looing 
upon  thee  the  just  suffering  for  us  unjust,  may  every 
angry*  and  selfish  passion  die  away.  May  brotherly 
lo\e  reign  in  our  hearts,  and  be  continuall}  exercised 
w  ith  deligiu  amongst  us  all.  And  all  the  time  1  so- 
journ in  tilt  flesh,  give  me,  by  the  power  of  thy  grace 
to  keep  the  feast  upon  thee  our  passover  sacrificed  for 
us,  not  with  the  leaven  o!  malice  and  wickedness, 
but  with  the  unleavened  brtad  of  sincerity  and  t! nth, 
G-  -nt  these  rcqacbts  for  the  glory  of  thy  great  name. 
»4?nen. 


A  Prayer  proper  for  Persons  under  great  Difficulties,  and 
when     vft'Jrs  of  great  importance  are  in  suspense. 

O  LORD  thou  God  of  wisdom  and  of  might, 
who  hath  most  graciously  comm  inded  us,  poor  short- 
sighted creatures,  to  commit  our  works  unto  thee, 
and  promised  that  our  thoughts  shall  be  established; 
to  cast  all  our  care  upon  thee,  assuring  us  thou  ca- 
rest  for  us  ;  mercifully  receive  our  prayer  which  we 
now  make  unto  thee.  So  perplexing  are  our  af^liirs, 
so  doubtful  and  wavering  our  minds  what  course 
to  take,  and  by  what  method  to  extricate  ourselves 
out  of  our  difficulties,  that  our  eyes  are  fixed  upon 
thee  as  our  only  counsellor.  Teach  us,  we  beset  ch 
thee,  what  we  ought  to  do,  and  enable  us  to  choose 
what,  upon  the  whole,  will  most  conduce  to  thy  glo- 
ry and  our  good.  Ail  things  we  know  in  heaven 
and  earth  are  ordered  and  governtd  by  thee,  accord- 
ing to  the  counsel  of  thy  own  will,  and  by  a  special 
providence  thou  makest  all  things  work  together  for 
good  to  them  that  love  thee.  Endue  our  souls  w  ith 
this  grace  of  love  to  thee,  through  a  knowledge  of 
Christ  Jesus,  that  we  may  repose  ourselves  in  thee. 


424  OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION. 

and  wait  without  anxiety  of  mind  the  event  of  the 
matter  we  have  in  hand.  If  the  issue  is  prosperous 
to  us  with  respect  to  this  world,  give  us  grace,  to 
ascribe  our  success  wholly  to  thy  undeserved  mercy, 
and  to  retain  a  grateful  sense  of  it  all  the  days  of  our 
life.  But  if  it  seemeth  good  to  thee  to  turn  our  pre- 
sent suspense  into  certain  adversity,  and  bring  upon 
us  the  thijig  we  fear,  O  grant  us  sufficient  strengdl 
to  behave  aright  under  thy  correction.  In  our  afflic- 
tion, may  we  put  our  whole  trust  in  thy  mercy  ; 
and  so  exercise  ourselves  in  submission  and  humil- 
ity, in  faith  and  patience,  that  the  prosperity  of  our 
souls  mav  be  promoted  by  the  continuance  or  weight 
of  our  troubles ;  and  we  may  be  finally  able  to  say. 
Thou,  O  God,  of  very  faithfulness,  hast  caused  us 
to  be  afflicted.  Hear  us,  O  thou  God  of  peace, 
patience,  and  consolation,  whose  kingdom  ruleth 
over  all,  and  whose  dominion  is  from  generation  to 
generation,  world  without  end.     Amen. 

A  Prayer  when  under  the  Pressure  of  some  heavy  Affliction. 

O  THOU  most  holy  and  righteous  God,  who 
orderest  all  things  in  heaven  and  in  earth,  and  with  the 
greatest  tenderness  dost  hear  the  cries  of  all  who  put 
their  trust  in  thee,  through  Jesus  Christ ;  I  believe, 
Lord,  help  my  unbelief,  that  in  wisdom,  mercy,  and 
holiness,  thou  dost  appoint  unto  me  every  circum- 
stance of  my  condition.  I  desire  to  look  through  all 
second  causes  to  thee,  O  Lord  God,  who  makcst 
them  merely  instruments  to  do  thy  will,  and  execute 
thy  purpose  respecting  the  children  of  men.  O  thou 
infinitely  wise  and  gracious  Governor  of  the  world, 
often  have  I  said,  Thy  will  be  done.  But  now  thou 
art  pleased  to  afflict  me,  1  find  my  nature  ready  to 
shrink  back,  and  to  be  clamorous  or  fretful  under 
the  sacred  but  painful  cross.     What  I  have  often  so 


OFFICES  OP  DEVOTION.  425 

solemnly  repeated,  I  am  strongly  tempted  to  unsay; 
and  to  wish  my  own  will,  not  thine,  was  to  take 
place.  Make  speed,  O  God  of  my  salvation,  and 
help  me  to  deny  myself,  to  bow  down  in  free  and 
full  submission  to  thy  appointment  of  my  condition. 
Bring  powerfully  to  my  remembrance,  I  beseech  thee, 
what  my  mouth  hath  so  often  declared  in  thy  pre- 
sence, that  I  have  deserved  all  the  plagues  written 
in  the  book  of  thy  law ;  and  that  it  is  mere  mercy  and 
rich  grace  which  have  kept  me  from  the  wages  due 
to  my  sin,  from  weeping,  and  wailing,  and  gnashing  of 
teeth  in  torment.  Whilst  thou  art  therefore  smiting 
me,  O  thou  righteous  Judge  of  all  the  earth,  give  me 
an  heart  unfeignedly  to  adore  thy  mercy,  that,  instead 
of  the  scourge  with  which  I  am  now  corrected  for  my 
profit,  thou  hast  not  long  since  given  a  commission 
to  the  sword  of  vengeance  to  do  all  its  dreadful  work 
upon  me.  O  fill  my  soul  with  a  perfect  acquiescence 
under  this  affliction,  by  convi;  cing  me  that  thou, 
and  thou  alone,  O  God,  knowest  what  manner  of 
correction  I  need.  Thy  eye  discovers  the  folly,  the 
perverseness,  and  many  sinful  disorders  of  my  soul, 
and  canst  alone  adapt  a  remedy  to  the  disease.  O 
that  I  might  obtain  grace,  therefore,  to  remain  in 
meek  subjection  to  the  Father  of  spirits,  and  to  bear 
the  stroke  of  thy  hand,  not  merely  because  none  can 
oppose  thy  will,  but  because  the  stroke  is  given  to 
heal  and  bless.  Take  away  from  me  all  thoughts 
that  are  without  understanding,  and  so  busy  to  press 
into  my  mind,  raising  objections  against  this  partic- 
ular way  in  which  I  am  tried.  Make  me  to  believe 
it  is  the  very  affliction  proper  for  the  particular  state 
of  my  soul.  And,  in  the  midst  of  my  troubles,  let 
thy  comforts,  O  Lord,  refresh  my  heart,  and  re- 
lieve the  weariness  and  pains  of  nature,  by  the  su- 
pernatural supports  of  thy  grace  and  spirit.  Thy 
mercies  are  not  restrained,  neither  is  thy  hand  wax- 

3  F 


A^&  OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION. 

cd  short ;  what  thou  hast  done  for  thousands  of  the* 
sons  aiid  daughters  of  affliction,  do  for  me,  even  ior 
me,  O  my  God.  If  my  heart  be  less  tender,  less 
sensible,  thou  canst  cure  that  evil  and  make  my  pre- 
sent afflictions  the  means  of  curing  it.  Thus,  O 
Lord,  let  it  be ;  and  at  length,  in  thy  due  time,  and 
in  the  way  which  thou  shalt  choose,  send  forth  de- 
liverance  for  me,  and  shew  me  thy  marvellous  lov- 
ing-kindness; for  1  well  know  how  dark  soever  this 
night  of  affliction  seem,  if  thou  sayest,  Let  there  be 
light,  there  shall  be  light.  O  let  me  patiently  wait 
and  quietly  hope,  till  that  time  of  mercy  come. 
Let  me  be  much  more  concerned  to  have  m\  afflic- 
tion sanctified  than  removed.  Number  me.  O  Lord, 
amongst  the  happy  persons  whom,  whilst  ihou 
chasteiiest,  thou  teachest  out  of  thy  law.  Shew  me, 
I  beseech  thee,  wherefore  thou  contendest  with  me ; 
and  whilst  I  am  passing  through  the  furnace  of  af- 
fiiciion,  O  let  it  purge  away  my  dross,  and  take 
away  all  my  iniquity.  In  thy  prt-sence,  and  under 
the  support  of  thy  grace,  I  can  bear  any  thing,  and 
am  willing  to  bear,  if  I  may  grow  more  conformable 
to  thy  will,  and  more  largely  partake  of  thy  holiness. 
As  my  foolish  heart  is  ready  to  grow  fond  of  this 
eai'th,  O  let  the  disappointments  and  afflictions  I 
meet  with  in  it  loosen  my  affections,  and  put  an  ei  d 
to  all  my  sinful  attachments  to  any  thing  below.  O 
teach  my  soul  to  receive  every  trouble  as  a  call  to 
cease  from  expecting  any  thing  from  the  creature, 
and  to  be  preparing  for  that  hour  which  shall  put  an 
end  to  all  the  sorrows  and  trials  of  the  righteous,  and 
give  them  an  entrance  into  the  everlastmg  kingdom 
through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  in  which  they  wash 
their  robes  white.  O  Lord,  hear  ;  O  Lord,  per- 
form and  do ;  dt  fer  not,  I  beseech  thee,  ie^t  my 
spirit  f.fint  b  ;  -\t  thee,  and  the  flesh  which  thou 
hast  nuiUe.     Ameiu 


OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION.  427 

A  Prayer  before   a  Journey,  for  a  Person  who  is  to  travel  by 

himself. 

THINE  is  the  power,  O  Lord,  and  the  domhi- 
ion  in  ail  places ;  both  at  home  and  abroad  all  our 
safety  standeth  in  thy  protection  and  mercy.  To 
thee  therefore  do  I  now  direct  my  prayer,  called  by 
niv  necessary  business  from  my  own  habitation. 
Many,  I  know,  and  peculiar  are  the  dangers,  both 
with  respect  to  body  and  soul,  to  which  travellers 
are  exposed  :  and  by  his  own  strength  or  wisdom 
no  man  is  able  to  av.nd  them.  Compass  me  there- 
fore about  with  thy  favour,  O  God,  as  with  a  shield; 
guard  both  my  person  and  p;operty  from  the  sons  of 
violence  and  blood  ;  preserve  my  body  in  health  and 
strength  :  and  as  I  shall  be  much  alone  bv  the  way, 
grant  that  I  may  reflect  and  consider  much  on  thy 
truth,  thy  grace,  and  salvation,  and  be  able  to  sav, 
lam  not  alone,  but  the  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  by 
their  sacred  influences,  are  with  me.  VVhatever 
company  I  come  into,  preserve  me  from  complying 
with  any  solicitations  to  sin,  and  from  being  at  all 
conformed  to  the  manners  of  the  profane.  Endue 
me  with  knowledge  and  discretion,  that  I  may  not, 
without  cause,  make  myself  a  derision  to  the  un- 
gocilv  ;  nor  for  fear  of  the  flices  o-  men,  do  or  say 
any  thing  to  wound  my  own  conscience,  to  grieve 
thy  Spirit,  and  to  lead  the  careless  to  think  I  am  of 
the  same  disposition  with  themselves. 

Cleanse  the  thoughts  of  my  heart  by  the  inspira- 
tion of  thy  holy  Spirit.  Sufft  r  me  not  to  look  upon 
a  woman  with  a  lustful  desire.  Let  no  presumption 
on  the  advantage  of  being  unknown  in  any  place 
where  I  come,  seduce  me  to  act  in  a  manner  I 
should  be  ashamed  of  amongst  my  friends  and  neigh- 
bours. Whatever  business  I  have  to  transact,  give 
me  grace,  O  God,  to  do  it  with  all  good  conscience, 
s^bhorring  deceit,  fraud,  and  lying. 


AU  OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION. 

For  all  these  mercies  1  make  my  prayer  unto  thee, 
the  God  of  my  life,  and  in  faith  1  commend  myself 
into  thy  hands,  beseeching  thee  that  no  evil  may  be- 
fal  me.  Nevertheless,  if  it  be  thy  pleasure  to  ap- 
point unto  me  in  this  my  journey  some  disaster,  ei- 
ther of  falling  among  thieves  who  shall  rob  me,  or 
breaking  of  a  limb,  or  to  visit  me  with  sickness ; 
give  me,  1  beseech  thee,  patience,  faith,  and  com- 
fort in  the  midst  of  my  trouble,  and  full  assurance 
that  all  things  shall  work  together  for  good  to  them 
that  love  thee.  And  after  all  my  travels  here,  bring 
me,  O  my  heavenly  Father,  at  last  to  thy  holy 
hill,  through  the  greatness  of  thy  mercy  to  me  in 
thy  dear  Son  and  my  only  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 
Amefi, 


A  Thanksgiving  after  a  safe  Journey. 

O  MY  most  merciful  and  gracious  God,  I  de- 
sire to  take  this  first  opportunity  of  returning  to  thee 
my  most  hearty  thanks  for  this  fresh  instance  of  thy 
love  to  me,  manifested  through  my  whole  journey. 
Thou  hast  preserved  me  from  every  peril  and  sad 
accident  to  which  I  was  exposed.  Thou  hast  sur- 
rounded me  with  blessings  on  every  side.  I  might 
now  have  been  groaning  under  the  pain  of  broken 
bones,  of  bruised  limbs,  or  other  terrible  disasters  ; 
yea,  I  might  suddenly  have  been  dashed  in  pieces  on 
the  ground,  or  perished  far  from  all  help,  and  my 
friends  and  family  been  shocked  with  the  doleful  tid- 
ing. But  instead  of  these  miseries  thou  hast  kept 
me  in  safety  :  thou  hast  brought  me  to  see  my  ha- 
bitation in  peace,  and  all  things  here  in  prosperity. 
Every  dav  thy  mercy  and  goodness,  O  Lord,  did 
prevent  and  follow  me.  O  how  unwearied  is  thy 
bounty  towards  such  polluted  and  depraved  crea- 
tures as  we  are  !     And  now  grant,  I  beseech  thee. 


OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION.  42-9 

that  the  sense  of  thy  love  to  me  may  create  in  mc 
such  love  for  thy  name,  and  for  whatsoever  thou  dost 
command,  that  1  may  cheerfully,  and  with  full  pur- 
pose of  heart,  devote  myself  to  thy  service,  and  serve 
thee  with  all  my  strength.  Grant  me  both  this,  and 
every  other  blessing  1  need,  for  the  sake  of  Jesus 
Christ.     Ameji, 

A  Prayer  for  a  Family  when  any  Member  of  it  is  sick,  proper 
for  iVlorning  or  Lvening, 

O  THOU  infinitelv  srreat  and  crlorious  God, 
thou  killest  and  makest  alive.  Thou  vv'oundest,  and 
thy  hands  make  whole;  thou  bringest  down  to  the 
grave,  and  bringest  back  again.  Thou  dost  accord- 
ing to  thy  will  in  the  armies  of  heaven,  and  among 
the  inhabitants  of  the  earth,  and  none  can  stav  thine 
hand,  or  say  unto  thee,  What  dost  thou  ?  Yet  righte- 
ous art  thou  in  all  thy  ways,  and  holy  in  all  thy 
works.  Even  when  thou  afflictest  and  causest  trou- 
ble and  heaviness  to  fall  upon  us,  it  is  that  we  may 
learn  righteousness  from  thy  judgments,  and  receive 
profit  from  thy  correction.  Wherefore,  though  thou 
hast  now  visited  our  house  with  sickness,  and  art 
calling  us  to  humiliation  for  our  sins,  yet  we  would 
still  speak  good  of  thy  name,  and  love  and  bless  thee. 
We  desire  at  this  season  to  remember  all  the  past 
mercies  with  which  thou  hast  been  pleased  to  bless 
us  and  our  household.  God  forbid  that  our  present 
grief  should  make  us  unmindful  of  the  constant  be- 
nefits we  have  enjoyed.  How  long  has  each  of  our 
family  lain  down  ^md  risen  up,  gone  out  and  come 
in,  in  health,  strength  and  peace  ?  How  long  has 
the  candle  of  the  Lord  shone  upon  us  without  in- 
termission ?  For  these  multiplied  favours,  blessed, 
O  Lord,  by  thy  good  and  holy  name ;  since  the 
smallest  of  benefits  is  more  than  we  deserved,  and  the 
sharpest  afiiiction  less.     For  to  us,  on  account  of 


4^0  OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION. 

our  transgressions,  is  most  justly  due  indi2:nation 
and  wratii,  tribulation  and  anguish.  Wherefore, 
then,  should  living  men  complain,  men  and  trans- 
gressors, for  the  punishment  of  their  sins  ?  Shall  we 
receive  so  much  good  at  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  and 
shall  we  not  receive  evil ;  patiently  and  contentedly 
receive  evil  also  ?  This  temper  we  know,  O  Lord, 
is  our  boundcn  duty  ;  O  form  it  in  us.  And  as,  in 
great  compassion  to  us,  thou  hast  opened  a  way  of 
rehef  for  us  under  every  trouble,  by  directing,  com- 
manding, and  encouraging  us,  in  all  our  afflictions, 
to  pour  out  our  complaints  unto  thee,  and  tell  thee 
of  all  we  fear  and  feel ;  to  thee,  O  Father  of  mer- 
cies, do  we  make  our  supplication  at  this  time.  O 
Lord,  be  not  far  from  us.  In  entire  submission  to 
thy  most  wise  and  holy  will,  do  we  now  earnestly 
pray  for  that  person  whose  sickness  fills  us  with  so 
much  concern.  O  look  upon  him  (or  her)  in  his 
low  estate ;  suffer  not,  v/e  beseech  thee,  his  disor- 
der to  proceed,  and  let  not  this  sickness  be  unto 
death,  but  for  the  manifestation  of  thy  grace  towards 
us  all.  Thou  knowest,  Lord,  his  frame  ;  lay  no 
rnore  upon  him  than  thou  wilt  enable  him  to  bear 
with  patience  and  quietness  of  mind.  And,  O  thou 
great  physician,  without  whom  all  others  are  of  no 
value,  do  thou  direct  to  the  most  proper  medicines, 
and  bless  the  art  of  healing  to  his  body,  and  our  great 
comfort.  In  thy  due  time,  restore  thy  ser\'ant  to 
health  and  strength  again,  that  he  may  have  a  longer 
day  of  grace  and  salvation,  prove  more  useful,  and 
do  more  good  in  his  generation.  In  the  mean  time, 
however  thou  shalt  think  fit  to  dispose  of  him,  O 
sanctify  unto  him  this  affliction  ;  work  in  him  deep 
humiliaUon  for  his  sin ;  bless  him  with  repentance 
unto  life  ;  enable  hiim  bv  faith  to  behold  the  Lamb 
of  God,  and  to  trust  in  the  fountain  opened  in  his 
blood  for  the  remh'sion  of  sins,  that,  being  justifies! 


OI^ICES  OF  devotion:  43> 

through  faith,  he  may  have  peace  with  God  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Make  all  his  bed  in  liis 
sickness,  and  let  patience  have  its  perfect  work  in 
his  soul.  Raise  him  up  to  praise  thy  name,  to  pay 
those  vows  he  makes  in  trouble  before  the  assembly 
of  thy  saints,  and  to  walk  in  newness  of  life.  Bui  if 
thou  dost  not  see  fit  to  spare  thy  servant,  whom  we 
are  now  remembering  before  thee,  O  prepare  every 
one  of  this  family,  according  to  our  several  relations,^ 
for  the  awful  stroke.  With  respect  to  himself,  if 
the  time  of  his  departure  draweth  nigh,  O  let  his 
heart  be  comforted  by  thy  promises  in  Christ,  and 
taste  that  thou  art  gracious  unto  him.  May  his  soul 
be  safe  and  happy  in  the  hour  of  death  ;  and,  in  the 
grtat  day  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  may  he  be  found 
among  those  who  died  in  him. 

And  help  us  all,  who  are  now  in  health,  to  improve 
this  loud  and  solemn  call  to  prepare  for  our  own  sick- 
ness and  disease.  Let  us  not  abuse  our  bodily 
strength  to  encourage  ourselves  in  sinful  security 
and  impenitence.  Give  us  always  to  be  ready,  by 
performing  the  will  of  our  Lord,  that  whensoever 
he  shall  come,  we  may  be  found  of  him  in  peace,  and 
enter  into  his  joy  :  that  whenever  our  health  is  turn- 
ed into  sickness,  and  our  strength  into  weakness^ 
and  our  ease  into  sharp  pain,  we  may  not  be  cast 
down  or  perplexed,  but  feel  in  our  souls  those  sup- 
ports and  consolations  which  the  world  cannot  give, 
noT-  death  itself  take  away. 

Hear  us,  O  Lord  our  God,  in  these  our  humble 
requests  :  forgive  us  our  sins  ;  and  accept  our  per- 
sons and  our  service  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 

A  Jtamily  Thanksgiving  for  the  Recovery  of  a  sick  Mcmbcp 

thereof. 

MOST  gracious  and  holy,  good  and  merciful 
God  !  we  have  heard,  we  have  seen,  we  have  experi- 


432  OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION. 

enced  thy  love.  Blessed,  for  ever  blessed  be  thy 
name,  that  instead  of  being  known  to  us  by  the 
judgments  our  sins  have  deserved,  thou  art  manifest- 
ed to  us  as  a  God  willing  to  forgive  all  our  iniqui- 
ties. Thou  hast  delivered  our  eyes  from  tears,  and 
our  hearts  from  anguish.  Thy  servant,  whom  thou 
hast  lately  afflicted,  is  now  a  monument  of  thy  spar- 
ing mercy.  Thou  hast  chastened  or  corrected  him 
(oV  her),  but  thou  hast  not  delivered  him  over  unto 
death.  Thou,  Lord,  hast  turned  our  mourning  into 
joy,  and  our  fears  into  songs  of  praise. 

O  may  this  thy  servant,  whom  thou  hast  spared, 
love  thee  more,  and  walk  more  exactly  before  thee  in 
the  land  of  the  living.  We  beseech  thee,  perfect  all 
that  concerns  his  recovery  :  and  grant  that  thib  gra- 
cious interposition  may  properly  affect  both  him  and 
every  one  of  us  in  this  family.  From  henceforth 
may  we  all  more  entirely  depend  upon  thee  for  the 
continuance  and  preservation  of  our  dearest  earthly- 
comforts  :  may  we  consider  them  as  thy  free  gifts  O 
Lord,  and  know  that  thou  alone  makest  every  earth- 
ly blessing  be  to  us  what  it  is.  And  give  us  grace 
so  to  use  and  enjoy  all  our  temporal  comforts,  as 
those  who  know  the  fashion  of  this  world  passeth 
away.  Grant  we  may  learn,  from  this  late  affliction 
in  our  family  to  live  more  like  persons  who  are  soon 
to  be  separated  by  death,  and  to  give  all  diligence 
to  grow  rich  towards  God,  that  \vq  may  be  better 
prepared  for  a  breach  in  our  family  whenever  it  shall 
come.  And  whomsoever  of  us,  O  God,  thou  shalt 
be  pleased  to  call  away  first,  may  we  be  ready  to 
obey  the  summons ;  and,  though  parted  for  a  sea- 
son here,  be  joined  again  in  heaven,  and  be  all  of  us 
for  ever  with  the  Lord,  and  with  one  another. 

That  we  may  none  of  us  fall  short  of  so  glorious 
an  end,  O  grant  us  a  clear  knowledge  of  the  excel- 
lency of  our  God,  and  a  firmer  dependence  upon  the 


OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION.  43-3 

word  of  thy  grace.  Grant  us  a  stronger  love  to  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  a  greater  resemblance  of  him  ; 
that  each  of  us  in  our  particular  station  may  be  zeal- 
ous for  God,  full  of  mercy  and  justice  towards  men, 
and  possess  every  temper  whereby  God  can  be  glo- 
rified in  us. 

Fill  our  minds  with  a  more  cheerful  and  lively 
sense  of  our  obligations  to  thee,  especially  for  this 
late  additional  mercy  :  write  it,  we  beseech  thee,  on 
our  hearts,  so  that  no  temptation  from  without,  or 
corruption  from  within,  may  make  us  ever  act  as  if 
we  forgot  it. 

And  now,  O  Lord,  we  again  present  both  our- 
selves and  family,  all  we  have  and  all  we  are,  a  live- 
ly sacrifice  unto  thee  for  all  our  remaining  days.  Be 
with  us  when  we  are  passing  through  the  valley  of 
the  shadow  of  death  ;  may  we  then  fear  no  evil,  nor 
have  cause  to  fear  any.  Guard  us  through  the  gioc 
my  passage,  and  bring  us  safe  to  thine  eternal  king- 
dom and  glory.  We  humbly  ask  all  these  blessings, 
though  utterly  unworthy  oursleves  of  any  notice,  in 
the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  who  ever  iivetJ 
to  make  intercession  for  us.     Atnen, 


A  Prayer  for  one  convinced  of  Sin. 

GOD  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner  ;  a  sinner  be- 
yond expression  !  Hovv  shall  I  lift  up  mine  eyes  to- 
wards thee,  O  thou  most  holy,  or  take  thy  name 
within  my  polluted  lips  !  O  Lord,  thou  needest  not 
my  confession  to  inform  thee,  for  thine  eye  hath  been 
ever  upon  my  path ;  and  of  the  things  that  have 
come  into  my  mind,  thou  hast  known  every  one  of 
them.  The  vanity  of  my  childhood,  the  folly  of  my 
youth,  the  obstinacy  and  rebellion  of  my  riper  years, 
are  all  written  in  thy  book.  Alas !  thou  knowest  I 
was  conceived  in  sin,  and  have  lived  in  sin  ever  sinca 

3  G 


.4>345  OFFICES  OF  DEVOTIONo 

I  was  born.  All  thy  commandments  have  I  broken^ 
all  thy  mercit  s  have  I  abused,  trifled  with  thy  pa- 
tience, resisted  thy  Spirit,  and  rejected  thy  gospel, 
times  without  number. 

So  foolish  and  ii^norant,  so  stupid  and  hardened, 
unthankful  and  unfaithful  have  1  been ;  a  transgressor 
from  the  womb  :  such  has  been  my  life.  What  then 
must  my  heart  be,  the  foundation  from  whence  all 
these  stream  of  bitterness  have  flowed  ?  O  Lord, 
thou  hast  said  it,  and  I  cannot  deny  it,  my  heart  is 
deceitful  above  all  things,  and  desperately  wicked. 
I  am  wholly  defiled.  There  is  no  sound  part  in  me. 
I  am  full  of  pride  and  ignorance,  unbelief  and  self- 
will  :  my  boasted  stiength  is  weakness,  and  my  best 
righteousness  as  an  unclean  thing  before  thee.  I 
owe  thee  ten  thousand  talents,  but  have  nothing  to 
pay.  1  am  bound  to  a  perfect  obedience,  but  1  can- 
not perform.  O  wretched  man,  who  shall  deliver 
me  ?  Wherewithal  shall  1  come  before  the  most 
high  God  ?  Will  sighs,  or  tears,  or  promises,  an- 
swer the  demands  of  thy  law,  satisfy  thy  justice,  and 
avert  thy  righteous  anger  ?  or  where  shall  1  hide  mr 
g'^iity  head?  O  Lord,  m)  flesh  trembleth,  my  heart 
faiieth  before  thee.  I  am  afraid  of  th\  judgments; 
I  have  deserved  them  all ;  and  shouldest  thou  now 
pour  forth  thy  wrath  upon  me  unto  the  uttermost, 
even  in  the  midst  of  my  suflferings  I  must  own  thy 
jusiice.  Shouldst  thou  shut  out  my  prayers,  and 
say.  Depart,  thou  curstd,  into  everlastijig  tire;  I 
must  be  dunib.  But,  O  Lord,  though  1  have  thus 
destroyed  myself,  is  there  no  help,  no  hope  in  tht  e? 
Hast  thou  not  revealed  thyself  in  thy  word  as  ^'the 
Lord  God,  merciful  and  gracious,  long  snftlring.  and 
abundunt  in  goodness  a  ;(l  truth,  forgiving  iniquity^ 
transgression  and  sin  ?''  Vicl  hast  thou  not  commend- 
ed rhv  lov(  to  |)oor  io.jt  si!'  rs,  in  giving  thine  only 
Son  lo  be  the  piopiuaiioa  lui  sin?  haiii  not  thy  kind 


OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION.  4S5 

providence  put  thy  gospel  into  m\  hands,  to  prevent 
mv  sinking  into  despair  ?  Thou   hast  been   pleased 
to  in  form  me  of  the  sinless  life  and  meritorious  death 
of  thy  only  begotten  Son,  of  the  grace  of  his  heart 
to  the  chief  of  sinners,  and  the  intercession  he  ever 
lives  to  make  for  the  worst  that  come  to  thee  b\  him. 
A"d  though  it  is  amongst  my  most  abominable  sins, 
and  the  cause  of  them,  that  1  so  long  slighted   this 
record  of  thy  Son,  I  now  It  el  and  see,  that,  except 
he  saves  me,   I    must  undoubtt^dly  perish   for  tvA  r. 
All  that  believe  in  him  he  will  save;  and  I  am  taught 
in  thy  word  that  faith  is  thy  gift,  and  of  thy  opera- 
tion in  the  soul.     O  bestow  and  work  in  me   the 
work  of  faith  with  power,  I  beseech  thee,  unworthy 
as  I  am.    Enable  me    o  behold  the  suffering  wound- 
ed Lamb  of  God,   who  poured  forth  his  soul  an  of- 
fering for  transgressors.      Help  me  to  believe  that  he 
has  his  own  self  bore  my  sins  on  his  own  body  on 
the  tree  ;  that  he  has  delivered  me  from  the  curse  of 
the  law,   b«  ing  made  a  curse  for  me.     Let  me  feel 
the  powerful  efficacy  of  that  blood  which  cleanseth 
from  all  sin.     O  let  that  Spirit,    which  Jesus  is  ex- 
alted to  bestow,  testify  of  him  to  me,  and  glorify  him 
in  my  eyes,  that  my  troubled  conscience  may  enjoy 
peace,  and  my  soul  find  rest  in  Christ.     Gird  me 
with  strength  for  thy  blessed  service,  and  redeem  me 
by  thy  mighty  grace  from  the  power  of  all  iniquity, 
from  the  hands  of  all  my  enemies,  that  I  may  live 
devoted  to  thee  for  ever.     O  spare  me,  good  Lord, 
that   I  may  be  a  monument   of  the    riches  oi   thy 
mercy,   and  an  instrument  of  spreading  thy  praise, 
who  art  just,  and  yet  the  Justifier  of  the  sinner  and 
thr  ungodJy,  through  him  whom  thou  ha^t  held  forth 
to  be  a  propitiation  for  sin  through  faith  in  his  biood. 
Amen, 


426  OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION. 

A  Prayer  for  the  Increase  of  Faith  in  Christ. 

ENLARGE,  I  beseech  thee,  O  Lord  my  God, 
my  narrow  heart  to  receive  thy  precious  promises  in 
all  their  power  and  fulness.  If  the  laint  hope  1  aU 
ready  have,  that  thou  art  my  reconciled  Father,  was 
not  founded  upon  thy  own  faithful  word,  it  would  in- 
deed be  presumption  to  ask  of  thee  to  confirm  it  to 
a  full  assurance.  But  since  thou  hast  given  to  them 
that  believe  exceeding  great  and  precious  promises, 
that  ihey  might  be  partakers  of  a  divine  nature  ;  and, 
by  thy  immutable  word  and  oath,  hast  provided  that 
all  who  fly  to  Jesus  Christ  for  refuge  sh'ould  have 
strong  consolation,  O  give  me  to  enjoy  the  inestima- 
ble benefit.  Lord,  I  do  believe,  help  thou  mine  un- 
belief Adored  be  thy  free  grace,  for  what  thou  hast 
already  done ;  but  perfect  thy  work  in  me  :  make 
me  strong  in  faith,  that  on  all  occasions  I  may  give 
glory  to  God.  Thou  hast  shewn  me  something  of 
my  own  misery.  1  see,  I  feel  myself  a  lost  creature 
without  thy  salvation.  Thou  hast  also  given  me 
some  understanding  to  know  him  that  is  true,  even 
the  almighty  Saviour ;  and  every  hope  of  mercy  not 
founded  upon  him,  I  renounce.  1  have  cast  myself 
at  his  feet,  and  said,  Lord,  save  me,  or  I  perish.  I 
cannot  doubt  his  power ;  but  O  forgive  me,  that  I 
so  often  doubt  his  love  and  willingness  to  save  such 
as  I  am,  though  I  know  for  this  purpose  he  ap- 
peared in  the  form  of  a  servant,  and  died  upon  the 
cross. 

O  let  me  know  in  whom  I  have  believed,  so  as  no 
more  to  doubt,  nor  be  in  darkness.  Persuade  me 
fully  of  my  own  sincerity  in  intrusting  my  dearest 
concerns  into  the  hands  of  Christ,  and  of  his  willing- 
ness and  ability  to  keep  that  W'hich  I  have  committed 
to  him  against  the  great  day ;  to  preserve  me  from 
failing,  to  support  me  under  all  my  trials,  to  defend 
me  against  all  my  enemies  through  this  state  of  war^ 


OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION.  437 

fare,  and  at  length  to  present  me  faultless  before  thy 
glorious  presence  with  exceeding  joy. 

Fain  would  I  rely  upon  thy  faithful  promises ;  fain 
would  I  rejoice  in  hope ;  but,  alas  !  an  evil  heart  of 
unbelief  deprives  me  of  those  comforts  and  privileges 
provided  in  the  gospel  for  returning  sinners.  Let 
the  Sun  of  righteousness  shine  forth  with  healing  in 
his  beams,  scattering  the  mists  and  clouds  which 
hang  upon  my  mind.  Give  me  grace  to  seek  this 
blessing  by  diligently  reading  thy  holy  word,  by  be- 
ing instant  in  pra}  er,  constant  in  the  use  of  all  ordi- 
nances, and  circumspect  in  all  my  conversation. 
Let  me  not  remain  ignorant  of  the  devices  of  Satan, 
that  h?  may  neither  terrify  me  by  his  malicious  sug- 
gestions, nor  seduce  me  under  the  appearance  of  an 
angel  of  light,  to  depart  one  step  from  the  rule  of 
thy  word,  either  to  do  what  thou  hast  not  command- 
ed, or  to  expect  what  thou  hast  not  promised.  But 
having  my  heart,  my  hope,  my  eye  fixed  upon  thee 
alone,  may  1  cheerfully  wait  for  the  accomplishment 
of  all  the  good,  both  in  time  and  in  eternity,  promis- 
ed to  them  that  are  in  Christ  Jesus.  I  ask  this  in  hi-s 
name.     Ame?i» 


A  Prayer  proper  for  one  in  Trade  or  Merchandise. 

RIGHTEOUS  art  thou,  O  God,  in  the  doom 
pronounced  on  all  the  human  race  for  the  offence  of 
our  first  parents,  that  in  the  sweat  of  our  brow  we 
should  eat  bread.  And  not  only  in  justice,  but  in 
mercy  hast  thou  ordained  that  we  should  be  active 
and  laborious,  to  be  of  benefit  to  others,  and  to  be 
preserved  ourselves  from  all  the  evils  of  idleness  and 
sloth.  Thou  thyself  woi  kest  hitherto,  and  thy  pro- 
vidence, which  ordereth  all  things  in  heaven  and 
"earth,  doth  never  slumber  or  sleep.  Thy  only  be- 
gotten Son  also,  when  he  took  upon  him  our  flesh, 


43S  OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION. 

put  his  hand  to  the  nail,  and  his  right  hand  to  the 
workman's  hammer  ;  and  it  was  his  meat  and  drink 
to  do  thy  will,  and  finish  the  work  thou  gavest  him 
to  do.     Thy  holy  angels  likewise  are  in  action  with, 
out  ceasing,  ministering  unto  them  that  shall  be  heirs 
of  salvation.      Who,  or  what  then  am  1,  O    Lord 
God,  that  I  should  expect  to  have  no  business  or  la- 
bour appointed  for  me,  requiring  my  close  atten- 
tion ?  Let  not  this  be  esteemed  a  burden,  but  give 
me  grace  with  all  alacrity  to  apply  myself  to  mv  par- 
ticular employment.     And  as  I  am  fixed  in  it  bv  thy 
unerring   wisdom,   not  for  my  own  private  interest 
alone,  but  for  the  good  of  society,  O  implant  and  in- 
crease within  me  a  principle  of  truth,   honesty,   and 
good- will  to    men,  that  I   may   always   abhor   the 
thought  of  enriching  myself  by  the  gains  of  secret 
fraud  or  base  deception.     K^ep  me  from  day  to  day 
by  thy  mighty  power  in   a  conscientious  regard  to 
that  rule  of  thine,  designed  to  extirpate  all  the  dis- 
eases of  trade,  of  doing  unto  others  as  I  would  they 
should  do  unto  me.     Let  me  never  forget  that  the 
wages  of  righteousness  bring  with  them  the  curse  of 
G(^d,  and  that  the  prosperity  of  the  wicked  shall  des- 
troy them.     Let  me  always  feel,  that  better  is  a  lit- 
tle which  the  righteous  hath,   than  great  revenues 
without  right.     And  as  thou  knowest  how  naturally 
selfish  1  am,  and  how  prone  to  the  love  of  money, 
which  is  the  root  of  all  evil ;  as  thou  seest,   in  the 
daily  course  of  my  business  and  employment,   how 
much  I  am  in  danger  of  being  led  to  think  gain  the 
one  thing  needful,  O  my  God,  save  me  from  all  such 
snares  and  temptations.     Let  not  riches  with  its  en- 
chantments destroy  me,  nor  honours  or  pleasures 
entice  nic.     O  let  me  ever  see  them  the  fleeting 
vanities  they  are,  and  anticipate  tlie  day  when  they 
cannot  profit  at  all.     Rivet,   O   my  God,  upon  my 
mind  the  intrinsic  everlasting  value  of  thy  love,  and 


OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION.  439 

of  the  comforts  of  thy  Spirit,  and  a  remembrance 
of  the  happy  and  ever- blessed  state  of  the  obedient 
and  faithful  in  Christ  Jesus  ;  that  so,  amidst  all  my 
getiini^,  1  may  sjet  that  treasure  that  shall  never  fail. 
And,  in  Older  that  the  business  1  have  to  do  in  the 
world  may  not  prove  the  destruction  of  my  soul, 
grant  me  a  godly  jealousy  over  it,  and  a  perpetual  sus- 
picion of  its  tendency  to  extinguish  in'me  all  sense  of 
spiritual  blessin,8^s,  and  to  alienate  my  heart  from  God. 
Knowing  how  many  thousands  have  been  swallowed 
up  and  lost  in  the  inordinate  pursuit  of  their  busi- 
ness ;  seeing  the  world  intent  only  upon  amassing 
wealth  ;  and  feeling  the  same  passion  kindling  with- 
in my  own  corrupted  heart ;  I  earnestly  beseech 
thee,  O  God,  by  thy  own  bowels  of  mercies,  by  thy 
dear  Son's  blood,  put  thy  Spirit  within  me,  causing 
me  to  use  this  world  as  not  abusing  it,  and  to  mani- 
fest my  moderation  in  the  midst  of  my  diligent  ap- 
plication to  my  calling.  And  never  suffer  me,  in 
judgment  for  my  sins,  to  be  so  immersed  in  trade 
and  merchandise,  as  to  make  me  cold  and  formal  in 
prayer,  backward  to  holy  duties,  a  stranger  to  the 
peace  and  joys  of  the  faithful,  a  profaner  of  thy  sab- 
bath, or  a  despiser  of  those  opportunities  for  secret 
devotion,  by  which  alone  my  soul  can  be  kept  alive 
to  God,  and  grace  obtained  to  withstand  sin.  Make 
me  a  conqueror  over  the  world,  and,  by  this  infallible 
witness  in  myself,  to  prove  that  I  believe  in  Christ 
to  the  saving  of  my  soul.  If  riches  increase  with 
me,  grant  in  the  same  proportion  my  hand  ma}  be 
liberal  to  the  poor  and  needy.  Possess  my  mind, 
wherever  1  am,  whatever  I  do,  with  the  sense  of  thy 
presence,  as  a  God  that  seareheth  the  heart  and  trieth 
the  reins,  that  thou  may  est  give  to  every  one  accord- 
ing to  his  ways,  and  according  to  the  fruit  of  his 
doings ;  that  so  I  may  never  be  surprised  in  the 
hurry   of    business,    or  seduced   by  a  notion   of 


440  OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION, 

concealing  the  fraud,  to  act  with  deceit  and  lieso 
Lord,  hear  my  prayer,  and  keep  me,  so  that  neither 
the  cares  nor  the  pleasures  of  this  world,  nor  the 
deceitfuhiess  of  riches,  nor  the  kisting  after  other 
things,  may  ever  prevail  against  me,  to  make  me  a 
dishonour  to  my  Christian  profession,  and  to  sell 
my  soul  for  that  which  perishes  in  the  using.  Hear 
me,  O  Lord,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake,  who  died  to 
deliver  us  from  the  power  of  this  present  evil  world, 
and  to  choose  unto  himself  a  peculiar  people,  who 
should  not  be  of  the  spirit  and  temper  of  this  worid, 
even  as  he  was  not  of  the  world.  To  him.  with 
thvself,  O  Father,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  all  honour 
and  glory,   now  and  for  evermore.    Amen, 

A  Prayer  proper  for  a  Person  in  Trade  upon  sustaining  some 

great  Loss. 

O  LORD,  thou  makest  rich  and  thou  makest 
poor,  exercising  an  absolute  and  most  righteous 
sovereignty  over  the  substance  and  circumstances,  as 
well  as  over  the  persons  of  thy  creatures.  O  forgive 
my  sins,  which  have  provoked  thy  displeasure* 
Have  compassion  upon  my  weakness,  and  turn  back 
the  swarm  of  evil  thoughts  which  are  pressing  in 
from  every  side.  Banish  all  gloomy  distrustful  ap- 
prehensions from  my  mind.  Teach  me  how  to  be 
abased ;  and  if  it  seem  good  in  thy  sight  to  call  me 
to  such  a  severe  trial,  how  to  be  in  want.  Give  me 
understanding  to  learn  more  effectually  from  this 
providence,  how  transient  and  uncertain  are  the 
riches  of  this  world  !  and  now,  more  than  ever  it  has 
been,  let  it  be  my  chief  aim  to  grow  rich  towards 
God,  to  lay  up  my  treasure  there  where  it  can  never 
be  lost, and  to  choose  that  good  part  which  shall  never 
be  taken  from  me.  O  Lord,  preserve  me  from  des- 
ponding thoughts,  though  this  great  misfortune  is 


OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION.  441 

Come  upon  me.     SsifFer  me  not,  through  any  appre- 
hensions of  my  afflicted  mind^  so  to  limit  thy  pow- 
er, as  if  thou  couldst  not  extricate  me  out  of  all  my 
present  difficulties,  in  away  which  I  cannot  foresee; 
or  as  if  thy  bounty  was  not  able  to  supply  me,   be- 
cause the  means  of  my  provision  at  this  time  are 
now  taken  from  me.     In  opposition  to  my  own  self- 
tormenting  thoughts,  and  to  the  malice  of  Satan, 
who  waits  to  turn  them  to   my  ruin,  convince  me 
by  thy  Spirit,  that  if  I  lead  a  godly  life,  I  shall  want 
no  manner  of  thing  that  is  good.     Thou  art  able  to 
retrieve  all  my  loss ;  and  after  thou  hast  proved  and 
tried  my  heart,  to  bless   my   last  days   \"  ith  more 
abundance  than   my  first :  or  thou  canst  give  me 
more  satisfaction  and  peace  in  a  reduced  coridition, 
than  I  enjoyed  in  greater  affluence.    O  let  these  tho'ts 
quiet  my  mind,  and   makt  me  cheerfully  submit  to 
thy  disposal.     Let  thy  faithfulness,   truth,  and  pro- 
mise be  my  heritage,  and  trusted  in  as  a   sufficient 
portion.     And  as  thou,  O  God,  knowest  mv  frame, 
and  all  the  finest  springs  of  my  nature,  let  not  the 
sight  of  my  children  or  family  overpower  me.     Let 
not  my  heart  be  torn  with  anguish,  as  if  they  must 
be  destitute  and  forsaken.     Say  unto  me,  Be  of  good 
cheer,   leave  your  children  unto  me,  I  will  preserve 
them  alive,  and  put  thou  thy  trust  in  the  Lord.     O 
let  my  faith  rest  upon  thy  word,  that  thou,  who  hast 
graciously  given  them  life,   wilt  provide  proper  sus- 
tenance for  it.     Prepare  me,  I  beseech  thee,  O  God, 
for  whatever  further  trials   I  shall   be  called  to  go 
through,  and  make  me  ready  even  to  lose  my  life, 
rather  than  to  take  any  unlawful  methods  for' relief 
in  my  distress.     Thus,   O  Lord,  desiring  to  esteem 
my  present  affliction  a  mark  of  thy  favour  towards 
me  (though  my  corrupt  nature  is  apt  to  be  off.  ndtd 
with  it),  I  commend  myself  and  my  imperftr?  peti- 
tions unto  thee,  through  thy  beloved  boa.     Amen. 

3  H 


442  OFFICES  OF  DEVOTrON. 

Pra)  er  for  a  Student  educating  for  Holy  Orders. 

O  THOU  Father  of  lights,   from  whom  com- 
cth  every  good  and  perfect  s^ift ;  by  whose  goodness 
to  me  I  am  training  up  in  knowledge  and  learniiig, 
that  I  may  be  thoroughly  furnished  in  due  time  to  be 
a  preacher  and  teacher  in  thy  church  ;  to  thee  I  make 
my  prayer  for  a  blessing  upon  my  studies  and  under- 
taking, or  all  will  be  in  vain.     Sanctify  and  purify, 
I  beseech  thee,  my  heart,  that  I  may  not  study  for 
reputation,  and  to  get  the  name  of  learned  and  acute, 
but  only  to  be  an  instrument  in  thy  hand  of  glory  to 
thv  name,  o[  good  to  the  immortal  souls  of  men. 
And  as  authors  are  infinite,  as  much  reading  is  a 
weariness  to  the  flesh  causing  distraction,  and  tend- 
ing only  to  unprofitable  questions  ;  for  this  reason,  I 
beseech  thee,   so  to  direct,  me,  that  I  may  know 
what  books  to  choose  and  what  to  refuse,  and  con- 
stantly apply  myself  to  that  course  of  studies  which 
will  best  prepare  me  for  thy  holy  service.    Preserve 
me  from  the  infection  of  false  doctrine,  naturally 
pleasing  to  the  pride  and  corruption  of  nature  ;  and, 
as  the  only  way  of  being  safe  from  falling  into  error, 
grant  1  may  give  myself  up  entirely  to  be  guided  by 
thy  Spirit  in  daily  and  earnest  prayer.     And  as  thy 
written  word  is  the  only  repository  of  thy  will,  and  of 
that  wisdom  which  is  flir  better  than  gold,  O  make 
me  a  dili.s,*ent  reader  of  the  scripture.     May  1  exer- 
cise myself  in  it  day  and  night.     Let  it  dwell  richly 
in  me,  and  be  as  much  more  pleasant  to  my  soul 
than  all  human  writings,  as  thou,  O  God,  art  wiser 
and  better  than  men.     Give  me  wisdom  to  associate 
with  none  but  those  by  whose  sobriety,  gravity,  and 
good  example,  I  may  receive  benefit.     Rather  let 
me  choose  solitude,  and  be  satisfied  with  reproach, 
than  walk  in  the  way  of  sinners,  and  for  company's 
sake,  destroy  my  soul,  or  wound  my  conscience. 
Excite  in  me  a  constant  apprehension  of  my  amuse- 
ments and  recreations,  knowing  how  difiicult  it  is 


OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION.  443 

)liot  to  exceed  the  bounds  of  moderation,  and  how 
soon  the  afFcctions  are  drawn  off  from  better  things, 
and  enslaved.     Let  my  care  therefore  be  to  redeem 
my  time,  and  to  find  my  study  and  my  God  my  ex- 
ceeding joy.     In  all   things  do  thou   order  my  con- 
versation.    Grant  I  may  be  temperate  in  meat,  and 
drink,  and  sleep  ;  grave  in  my  deportment ;  respect- 
ful to  my  superiors  ;  amiable   to  my  equals ;    meek 
towards   my  inferiors ;   courteous  and  affable,   with- 
out levity  and  folly,  to  all.     Give  me  ability  and  apt- 
ness for  scholastic  exercises,  which  are  to  strengthen 
my  faculties,  to  polish  the  mind,  and  to  be  the  or- 
nament of  my  future  life ;  that  so  I  may  leave  this 
place  of  educati  m  free  from  the  vices  too  prevalent 
in  it,  sanctified  and  prepared  as  a  vessel  ot   honour 
fit  for  the  master's  use.     And  may  I  take  upon   me 
the  high  office  of  a  teacher  of  souls,  not  as  one  who 
prostitutes  his  conscience,  and  lies  unto  the  Holy 
Ghost  for  a  morsel  of  bread,  but  as  one  who  is  real- 
ly moved  by  a  desire   of  saving  perishing  sinners. 
Hear  me  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake.     Amen, 

A  Prayer  for  Chastity. 

O  THOU  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  who  hast  called  us,  not  unto  uncleanness, 
but  unto  holiness,  whose  will  is  our  sanctification, 
that  we  should  possess  our  bodies  in  honour  and 
chastity,  not  in  the  lusts  of  concupiscence,  as  the 
Gentiles  who  knew  not  God:  I  bow  down  my  knees 
to  bewail  before  thee  the  inherent  corruption  of  my 
nature,  my  desire  to  defile  myself  in  those  things 
which  I  know  in  common  with  the  brute  beasts. 
To  such  a  degree  hath  this  lust  of  uncleanness  seiz- 
ed me,  that  with  difHculty  I  abstain  from  actual  lewd- 
ness, whilst  my  imagination  is  dreadfully  stained, 
and  the  thoughts  and  desires  of  my  heart  miserably 
subjected  to  this  fierce  passion.  O  my  most  gra- 
cious God,  had  it  not  been  for  thy  restraining,  giacr 


444  OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION. 

I  had  doubtless  fallen  a  prey  to  this  common  sin. 
Do  thou  therefore,  who  hast  kept  me  from  falling, 
vanquish  all  the  uncleanness  of  my  heart.  Fortify 
me  against  it,  and  fill  me  with  a  detestation  of  lewd- 
ness as  a  deadly  evil.  And  as  the  wickedness  of  my 
lieart  would  seduce  me  into  this  sin  by  promising 
repentance  and  amendment,  cause  me  to  understavid 
that  the  sin  of  whoredom,  above  all  others,  takes 
away  the  understanding,  leading  on  those  who  are 
enslaved  by  it  like  an  ox  that  goeth  to  the  slaughter, 
or  a  fool  to  the  correction  of  die  stocks.  Convince 
me  of  thy  utter  abhorrence  of  this  sin,  and  the  im- 
possibility of  escaping  thy  displeasure,  if  I  take  part 
in  the  voluptuousness  of  the  unclean.  Make  me 
remember  thy  judgments  in  old  time  upon  those  who 
committed  fornication,  and  all  the  express  declara- 
tions of  thy  own  word,  that  whoremongers  and  adul- 
terers shall  have  their  portion  in  the  lake  of  brim- 
stone and  fire.  Let  not  vain  w^ords  deceive  me,  nor 
the  practice  of  the  ungodly  lessen  in  my  sight  the  in- 
iquity of  this  sin  ;  nor  the  vast  multitude  of  those 
who  live  in  it  make  me  once  doubt  thy  veracity,  and 
determinate  purpose  to  destroy  the  unclean,  both 
body  and  soul,  in  hell.  That  I  may  not  myself  be 
overtaken  by  this  lust,  let  me  avoid  all  society  and 
acquaintance  with  the  debauched,  and  all  their  haunts 
of  idleness  and  places  of  entertainment.  Into  their 
assembly  never  let  me  enter.  Give  me  to  apply  my- 
self with  industry  to  my  business,  knowing  that  idle- 
ness is  the  great  encourager  of  unclean  desires  and 
practices.  Enable  me  to  turn  away  my  eyes  from  every 
inflaming  object ;  to  be  sober  and  careful  in  my  dis- 
course, not  giving  way  myself  to  foolish  talking  or 
jesting,  nor  staying  to  hear  those  who  do.  Give  me 
grace  to  eat  for  strength,  not  for  pamjiering  the  flesh. 
Lord,  make  me  to  heed  and  beware  of  cherishing  the 
feeblest  motion  of  this  lust,  knowing  from  the  his- 
tory of  God's  saints  how  great  a  fire  such  a  little 


OFFICES  OF  DEVOTION.  445 

spark  has  kindled  when  mdulged.  As  I  profess  my- 
self a  Christian,  grant  I  may  with  horror  reject  every 
temptation  of  offering  such  an  insult  to  my  Redeemer, 
as  to  take  the  members  of  Christ,  and  make  them 
the  members  of  an  harlot.  And  lest  my  heart  should 
envv  sinners  in  their  pleasures,  O  Lord,  grant  I  may 
reflect  on  all  those  marks  of  thy  vengeance  against 
the  sin  of  lewdness  visible  in  this  world,  as  well  as 
reserved  for  the  unclean  in  that  which  is  eternal. 
Let  me  not  forget  what  loathsome  diseases,  what  bit- 
ter pains,  what  poverty  and  want  is  the  fruit  of  lust; 
what  quarrels,  what  bloodshed,  what  infamy  and 
death  from  the  hands  of  justice  are  brought  upon 
yoinig  wretches  by  means  of  chambering  and  wan- 
tonness. Let  the  knowledge  of  these  things  make 
me  urgent  and  instant,  day  after  day,  to  cry  unto 
thee  to  preserve  me  blameless  in  spirit,  soul  and 
body,  and  that  I  may  never  gratify  an  appetite  im- 
planted for  the  noblest  purposes,  but  in  the  w^ay 
which  thou  hast  appointed.  Grant  this,  holy  Father, 
for  Jesus  Christ's  sake.     Amen, 

A  Prayer  for  a  young  Person. 

WHITHER.  O  Lord,  shall  a  young  man  go, 
or  how  shall  he  be  able  to  escape  all  the  snares  which 
beset  him,  and  all  the  corruptions  within  his  own 
heart  ever  ready  to  betray  him  ?  Where,  but  to  thv 
throne  of  grace,  O  God  of  all  power  ?  Here,  there- 
fore, do  I  present  my  supplication,  humbly  beseech- 
ing thee  to  give  unto  me  that  faith  in  thy  word, 
which  shall  make  me  receive  all  thy  promises  with 
delight  and  comfort,  and  stand  in  awe  of  doing  any 
thing  to  incur  thy  threatenings.  Establish  in  me  the 
fear  of  thy  eternal  majesty,  and  a  steadfast  purpose 
of  heart  to  walk  before  thee  in  holiness  and  righte- 
ousness all  the  days  of  my  life.  Subdue  my  natural 
pride,  which  would  lead  me  to  be  a  rebel  against  thee, 
O  my  God,   and  lighdy  to  regard  the  plainest  aitd 


446  OFFICES   OF  DEVOTION. 

most  positive  of  thy  commands.  Quench  those  kists 
which  the  fire  of  youth  ever  kindles  in  the  heart.  In- 
stead of  being  heady ,  high  minded,  rash,  and  pre- 
sumptuous, open  mine  ear  to  receive  instruction : 
inspire  me  with  meekness  to  be  humble  in  my  whole 
behaviour,  and  ever  to  follow  that  which  is  good. 
Create  in  me  a  constant  distrust  of  mvself,  an  aver- 
sion  to  the  company  of  the  lewd,  the  gay,  and 
thoug  itless,  and  a  jealousy  ^af  those  things  to  which 
I  find  myself  most  vehemently  inclined ;  knowing 
that  by  nature  1  am  altogether  earthly,  sensual,  and 
devilish.  Now  in  my  youth,  grant  I  may  ascribe 
unto  thee  the  honour  due  unto  thy  name,  by  prefer- 
ring always  the  knowledge  of  thy  trutli,  the  sense  of 
thy  love,  and  observance  of  thy  will,  to  all  the  plea- 
sures of  sin  and  vanity.  O  convince  me  that  the  be- 
ginning of  sin,  as  well  as  of  strife,  is  as  when  one 
lettcth  out  v.ater.  Teach  me  how  soon  sin  will  en- 
snare, how  insensibly  entangle,  and  how  difiicult  it 
is  to  escape  from  those  evil  tempers  and  indulgen- 
ces, when  once  complied  with,  which  might  easily 
be  vanquished  by  resistance  at  first.  Let  thy  Spirit 
be  my  perpetual  monitor,  guide,  and  comforter, 
throusrh  thv  word.  Root  out  of  mv  vain  heart  all 
good  opinion  of  myself,  all  haughtiness  of  spirit,  all 
stubbornness  and  moroseness  of  disposition,  all  af- 
ix^ctation  of  conforming  to  fashionable  sin  and  folly, 
and  every  wanton  imagination  ;  these  vile  propensi- 
ties, the  miserable  diseases  of  my  fallen  nature,  which 
I  find  within  me.  Help  me,  O  my  God,  to  mortify 
them  all,  to  advance  in  grace  as  1  grow  in  years,  to 
gain  a  complete  victory  over  my  corruptions,  and 
make  a  constant  progress  in  the  knowledge,  faith, 
and  consolations  of  Jesus  Christ  the  Lord  ;  in  whose 
early  youth  1  see  an  example  of  holiness  and  right- 
eousness, which  I  am  commanded  to  follow,  and 
through  whom  I  hope  to  be  accepted  unto  life  for 
evermore.     Amen, 


SUESCRIBEIIS^  KAMJES. 


NEW-JERSEY. 


New-  Brunswick, 

ACKLRM\N,  x\bm. 
Ackcrman,  Ralph 
Buckele^v,   Peter 
Beekmaii,  R  V. 
Bayard,  Joanna 
Bergen,  John 
Condict,  D  D.  Rev.  Ira 
Clark, D  D  Rev.  Joseph, 2 
Clark,  John 
Campbell,   Neil 
Cornell,  John  R. 
Covenhoven,   Sarah 
Coejeman,  Jane 
D.graw,  sen.  John 
Dcgraw,  jun.  John 
Degraw,  Abntham 
Dorset,  Samuel 
Deare,  Mrs. 
Dehart,  Ann 
Everett,  John 
Freeman,  Jehiel 
Garretson,  Jane 
Hagerman,   Henry- 
Hampton,  John 
Hager,  David 
Hager,  Jonas 
Jenkins,  G'  orge  A. 
Klady,  Jacold 


Livingston, DD. Rev.  J.H, 
Letson,  Robert 
Lupp,  William 
Mundy,  Frederick 
Mager,  James 
Martin,  Joshua 
Manley,  Richard 
Neilson.  John 
Nevius,  John  W. 
Nevius,  Garret 
Nevius,  George  G, 
Nevius,  Elizabeth 
Outcalt,   Henry 
Oakey,  Philip 
Pium,  John 
Potts,   Abraham 
Parsel,  Garret 
Stevenson,  James 
Taylor,  Doct.  A.  R. 
Taylor,  Benjamin 
Tenbrook,  John 
V  in  Arsdalen,  Henry- 
Van  Deursen,  John 
Van  Nnis,  John 
Voorhees,  John  I. 
Voorhees,  Martin 
^'^^oodward,  Wm. 
Woodhull,  James 
Williamson,  D.  D. 
W^ickoff,  Jacob 


448 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES. 


Wilcocks,  Moses 
Willet,  Samuel 
Watt.   Robert 

North' Br  unsxvick, 
Ayers,  Peter 
Biickelew,  Obadiah 
Clieesman,  Joseph 
Davis,  Edmund 
Farmer,  Jasper 
Guiick.  Daniel 
Hagerman,  William 
Hager,  John 
Hoagland,  Cornelius 
Overt,  Maria 
Perrine,  Peter 
Taylor,  sen.  Benjamin 
Tunison,  Jacob  E. 
Vaaderbelt,  Dennice 
Van  Dome,  Henry 
Van  Arsdalen,  A I  tie 

South  Brunswick. 
Combs,  Samuel 
Clark,  James 
Cay  wood,  Thomas 
Dean,  Aaron 
Davidson,  Jonathan 
Denton,  James 
McDowell,  Thomas 
Perrine,  James  P. 
Perrine,  John 
Pettit,  Robert 
Rue,  William 
Stewart,  James 
Van  Dike,  John 

Raritan-  Landing, 
Anderson,  John 
French,  Sarah 


Garrish,  Michael 
LetsoTi,  John 
Nevius,  David 
Nevius,  Abraham 
Pool,  John 
Ra])pleyea,  Jane 
Tunison,  Cornelius 
Voorhees,   Abraham 

Georges  Road. 
Bucktkw,   Frederick 
Dehart,  William 
Hendricks,  John 
Outcalt,  Frederick 
Vanpelt,  David 
Van  Liew,  Maria 
Van  Li«:'H\  Garret 

Washington, 
Ackerman.  Gaiiinc 
Dunham,  Jehu 
Furman,  Isaac 
Obcrt,   Henry 
Outcalt,  John  F. 
Franklin, 
Bayard,  J';ljn  M. 
Burcaloe,  Cornelius 
Brokaw,   Isaac 
Davis,  Peter 
Fine,  David 
Garretson,  Garret 
Rppleyea,  Geo. 
R.ppleyea,  Richard 
Veighte,  Henry 
Van  Liew,  Dennice  C. 
Van  Duyn,  James 
Van  Arsdalen,  Minard 
V.  Nostrand,  Christophet 


SUBSCRIBERS  NAMES. 


449 


Six  Mile  Run. 
Davis,  Frederick 
Dehart,  Cornelius 
Frazier,  Simon 
Hoagland,  Elbert 
Hagaman,  Aaron 
Johnson,  Peter 
Povvel,  Cornelius 
Scott,  Wm. 
Slover,  Gracia 
Stryker,  John 
Suydam,  Joseph 
Voorhees,  RulofF 
Van  Cleef  Jun.  John 
WyckofF,  Peter 

Millstone. 
Ellison,  Rhoda 
Garretson,  Jacobus 
Garretson,  Court 
Terhune,  RulofF 
Van  Harlingen,  Ernastus 
Voorhees,  Peter  P. 
Van  Nortvvick,  Simon 
Van  Doren,  Jacob  I. 
Van  Nuys,  Isaac 
Van  Deveer,  Doct.  Lau. 
Williamson,  Peter 

Cranberry. 
Bayles,  Elias 
Brown,  Abm. 
Clark,  James 
Carson,  C. 
Davidson,  John 
Debow,  Garret 
Duncan,  Thomas 
Gordon,  John 
Grove,  John 


Hufman,  Henry 
Hunt,  Nathaniel 
Hundley,  Sarah 
Lott,  Doct.  Ralph  P. 
Lott,  Abraham 
Lawrance,  Elijha 
M'Chesney,  Joseph 
Morris,  Elizabeth 
Perrine,  John  W. 
Perrine,  James 
Schcnck,  Nicholas 
Snedeker,  Jacob 
Snedeker,  Garret 
Stults,  Henry 
Van  Dome,  Cornelius 
Wvckoff,  John 

Cranberry  Plains* 
Brown,  Joseph 
Briton,  Nathaniel 
Bergen,  John  L 
Bastedo,  Wm. 
Dean,  John  A. 
Hull,  James 
Kerr,  Aaron 
Morris,  Moses 
Mershon,  Robert 
Mershon,  William 
Scott,  Richard 

Cross  Roads. 
Cortelyou,  Wm. 
Griggs,  Derrick 
Snedeker,  Abm. 
Siover,  James 
Slover,  Richard 
Terhune,  Isaac 
Updike,  Jacob 
Vanpelt,  Ruben 


3  I 


450 


SUBSCRIBERS  NAMES. 


Vanpelt,  John 
VMi.pelt,  SHrah 
Wetherali,  Sarah 

Rahway. 
Baker,  Thomas 
Edgar,  William 
Marsh,  John  C. 
Oliver,  jun,  Joseph 
Voorhees,  John 
Williams,  Elias 

WesUField. 
Baker,  William 
Clark,  William 
Dunham,  John 
Downer,   Jan.  Samuel 
Elmer,  Doc.  Phiiimon 
Marsh,  Ezekiel 
Pic  ton.  Rev.  Thomas 
Scudder,  Abraham  C« 

Spring  Field, 
Bennet,  John 
Parsil,  William 
Sutfin,  Doc.  Daniel 
Williams,  Rt  v.  Gersham 
AVoodrufF,  Caleb 

Woodhridge. 
Brewster,  Samuel 
Bonor,  Joseph 
Brewster,   Sally 
Cook,   Rev.  Henry 
Inslee,  John 
Roe,   Rev.  Azel 
Ross,  Robert 
Thornal,   Benjamin 
Thompson,   William 

Ferth-Amhoy. 
Manning,   Nathamel 


Perrine,   Daniel 
Somerville, 
Brokaw,  John 
Dumont,  Peter  B. 
M 'Donald,  George 
Harriot,  John 
La  Tourette,  Daniel 
Stewart,  Abel 
Talmage,   Thomas 
Talmage,    Goyn 
Tunison,    PliiUp 
Taylor,   Willet 
Vredenburgh,   Rev.  J.  S. 
Van  Deventer,  Cornelius 
Veghte,   Ry  iieer 
Whitehead,   Dimiel 
Whitehead.   Isaac 

Piscataxvay, 
Boice,  John 
Campbell,  Benajah 
Dunham,  Barzillai 
Field,  Jeremiah  I. 
Field,   Dennis 
Mundy,  Aaron 
Mundy,  James 
Martin,  Janathan 
Ross,  Edward 
Smith,  Hezekiah 
Underdunk,  John 
Ten  Eick.  Jeremiah  F. 
Van  De'  enter,  Peter 

Bound  Brook 
Cook,  Doc.  Ambrose 
Harriot,  Alford  I. 
I^mburger,  John 
Mollison,  Joseph 
Ross,  Joseph 


SUBSCRIBERS  NAMES. 


451 


VanDeventer,  Jeremiah 
Van  Deventer,  Jacob 
Van  Du}  n,  Wm. 
Williams,  Lewis 

Baskingridge, 
Finley,  Rev.  Robert 
Hill,  John 

Mendham- 
Armstrong,  Rev.  Amzi 
Castner,  Jacob  R. 
Drake,  Eben^zcr 
Nevius,  Joseph 
Stewart,  George 

Chatham. 
Brant,  Bonnel  R. 
Carter,  Elias 
Osburn,  David  L. 
Peirson,  Ebenezer  C. 
Perrine,  Rev.  M.  La  Rue 
Say  res,  Peter 
Thopson,  Charles 

Orange. 
Baldwin,  William  P. 
Brown,  Job 
Condit,  Samuel 
Condit,  jun.  Daniel 
Guildersleves.  Ezra 
Harrison,  Abraham 
Hi! Iyer,  Rev.  Asa 
Peck,  James 
Pierson,  Isaac 
Quimby,  Hiram 
Williams,  Timothy 

Newark, 
Boudinot,  P'lisha 
Crane,  D.  D. 
Grumman,  William 


Page,  Benjamin 
Searing,  James 
Wright,  John 

Elizabeth'  Town* 
Chetwood,  Wm. 
Freeman,  Peter 

Connecticut  Farms. 
Clark,  John 
Thompson,  Rev.  Stephen 

Bridge^  Town, 
Meeker,   Jonathan 

JVeiv  Columbia, 
Turvey,  David 

Lawrence'  s-Brook, 
Cornell,  Ruief 
Cornell,  Cornelius 
Dehart,  Gilbert 
Rvder,  Bernardus 

Ten  Mile  Run, 
Cortelyou,  Eibert 
Cortelyou,  Jacob 
Quick,  Peter 

Cranberry  Neck 
Duncan,  John 
Kerr,  Samuel 

Machepoiiix. 
Mount,  Taylor 
Rue,  John 

Spotswood, 
Mercereau,  David 
Smith  David 
Smith,  Stephen 

Sourlaud. 
HufF,   Isaac 
Kershow,  George 
Staats,  Gittv 


4^ 


SUBSCRIBERS  NAMESt 


Harlingcn. 
Labagh,  Rev.  Peter 

Pleasant  Plains* 
Cannon,  Rev.  J.  S. 
Purclin,  Wm. 
Suydam,  Joseph 
Nevius,  John  P. 
Nevius,  Albert 
Nevius,  David 
Voorhees,  Jaques 
Voorhees,  John  M. 
Voorhees,  Cornelius 

Mill-ville. 
Beekman,  Jacob 
Van  Dorn,  Jacob 

Griggs    Tonvn. 
Hogaland,  Christopher 
Perlee,  Abraham 
Simonson,  Cornelius 
Staats,  John  R. 
Vehgte,  Mary 
Wyckoff,  Garret 

Middlebush. 
Hogland,  Henry 
Polhemus,  Garret 
Probasco,  Frederick 
Van  Liew  John  F. 
Van  Liew,  Jeremiah 
Van  Liew,  Elizabeth 


Van  Liew,  Dennice 
Van  Dorn,  Cornelius 
Wyokoff,  Simon 

Rocky  Hill. 
Cruser,  Frederick 

Kingston. 
Comfort,  Rev.  David 

Princeton. 
Anderson,  Stephen  L.- 
Bogart,  Peter 
Bayard,  Samuel 
Fyier,  Jared  D, 
Origga,  Matthew 
Goldsmith,  Chai-ies 
Nevius,  John  L. 
Nicholson,  Samuel 
Smith,  D  D  L.  L.  D.  Rev.S.S. 
Sipson,  Manly 
Voorhees,  Henry 
Wilson,  John  S. 

Shaiinack. 
Hogland,  Herman 
Peterson,  Rulef 
Rowland,  John 
Smith,  Rev.  William 
Vanarsdalen,  Philip 
Vanarsdalen,  Isaac 
Voorhees,  Garret 
Van  Deripe,  John 


SCATTERING. 


Bowman,  James 
Crawford,  Thomas,  6 
Clingan,  William 
Coolbaugh,  John 
Davis,  Rev.  Henry  Leyon 
Finley,  Doct.  James  E.  B. 
Floyd,  Rev.  L.  F. 
Fuller,  Thomas 
Fraser,  Frederick 
Foresman,  Sarah 
Henderson,  Alexander 
llayes,  William 
Howard,  Thomas 
Heod,  Rev.  Thomas 


Ives,  Samuel  B. 
Kirth,  Rev.  Dr.  Isaac  S.60cop/ 
M^Nair,  Martha 
Mann,  Margaret 
M'Cluse,  Roan 
Pennington,  Hyland  B. 
Smith,  Austin 
Snoddy,  Robert,  6 
Torbert,  Elizabeth 
Tanner,  Joseph 
Vanvol,  Doct.  Robeift 
Wilson,  Hugh 
Worcester,  Rey.  Leonard 


a. 


